Smallgoods firm Conroy's fined for another hygiene breach

Smallgoods maker Conroy's has been convicted and fined for breaches of hygiene standards.

The family-owned business pleaded guilty in Adelaide Magistrates Court to four breaches of hygiene standards at its Bowden factory and was fined $8,000.

The breaches included storing meat in a chill room contaminated by grease, keeping a soiled pallet in a meat storage area and inappropriate and poorly-located handwashing facilities.

The breaches were detected during a random audit by Primary Industries and Resources SA in February last year.

Conroy's told the court there had been oversight and a breakdown in processes.

The court heard the company had a previous conviction for similar breaches, although Magistrate Simon Smart conceded the current breaches were minor by comparison.

Conroy's was fined over another hygiene breach

He noted there was no evidence the breaches led to adverse health effects.

"I accept there is no identified adverse health outcomes," he said.

Conroy's said it implemented better practices immediately after the breaches were detected.

Two other charges were dropped relating to meat stored in an unsheltered outdoor area and lack of effective pest control measures.

Source: ABC News, 27 June 2013