Great Yarmouth Magistrates have condemned and ordered unsafe food to be destroyed in a case brought by the Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department on Wednesday.

A routine visit on September 11 to the Ocean Dragon, 52 Havelock Road, Great Yarmouth saw two officers question the condition of nine unwrapped chickens found in a freezer.

During the inspection Senior Environmental Health Officer, Grizelle Davey came across the unwrapped chickens in a chest freezer. Through examination of these chickens, along with discussions with the food business operator and his staff, she and her colleague Commercial Team Manager, Kate Watts felt that the origin and therefore the safety of the meat could not be guaranteed.

The chickens were removed when it became apparent that there was no traceability for the product.

“Traceability of food products is a legal requirement for all food business operators,” commented Grizelle.  

“In this case, the owner of the business Mr Gua Lin Zheng was unable to satisfactorily prove to us where he had purchased the chickens from. This, along with the condition of the meat, suggested that it was not from a licensed or approved slaughterhouse.  

“All food business operators have a duty to ensure that the food they sell or produce at their premises is safe to eat.”

Kate Watts, Commercial Team Manager for Environmental Health said: “This serves as a timely reminder to all food business operators that they must ensure that all their food comes from a reputable source. Our officers will check documentation as part of their routine food hygiene inspections.”

For help or information on food hygiene for commercial premises contact: Senior Environmental Health Officer Grizelle Davey on 01493 846 544, or Commercial Team Manager Kate Watts on 01493 846 547.