Domino's fined £10,000 after customer finds metal piece in pizza
A Domino's takeaway in Wales has been fined £10,000 after an object resembling 'a piece of metal' was found in a customer's food.
Dijla Limited, trading as Domino's on Piccadilly Square, Caerphilly , has been prosecuted by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Environmental Health Officers.
Back in August 2018 the council received a complaint from a member of the public who had purchased a pizza from Domino's.
It was claimed a foreign object was found in food when they were eating a pizza.
After the object was examined, it appeared to be a piece of metal.
An investigation was carried out at the store and several damaged pizza screens were found on site.
The officer noted that the damaged pizza screens resembled similar characteristics to the piece of metal that was found in the pizza.
This led to the damaged pizza screens and the foreign object being sent for analysis, and it was later confirmed that the source of contamination arose from a damaged pizza screen.
The investigation identified shortfalls in the company’s procedures, and revealed there were instances when the procedures were not followed by relevant staff which led to the contamination.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Protection, Councillor Eluned Stenner, said: “It is important that we investigate complaints and take the necessary action when required."
On December 2nd Dijla Limited pleaded guilty to two offences at Newport Magistrates Court.
The company admitted placing food on the market that was unsafe.
It also admitted the second offence which was concerning the failure to maintain equipment in a good order.
The franchisee was ordered to pay a fine of £10,000 together with prosecution costs of £5,099 a surcharge of £170.
An additional £1,000 compensation was also ordered to be paid to the complainant.
The council says it has been working with the company, and acknowledges that they have since revised and simplified procedures in order to prevent such incidents from happening again.