ACTION AGAINST TAKE-AWAY SHOP

Taupo Times, Volume 20, Issue 6, 26 January 1971, Page 1

ACTION AGAINST TAKE-AWAY SHOP

ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN BY THE TAUPO BOROUGH COUNCIL AGAINST A TAUPO FOOD TAKE-AWAY SHOP FOR SELLING FOOD THAT WAS UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.

Council decided on this measure last night after receiving a report from the health inspector, Mr M. A. Miles. On the evening of Boxing Day a Wellington man and two of his friends complained to Mr Miles about the quality of the fish in the fish and chips they had purchased about 8 p.m. On opening the parcel they became aware of the 'off'

smell of the fish. They returned to the shop to complain but the person who had served them dismissed their complaint The fish and chips were disposed of, with the exception of one piece of fish which was presented to Mr Miles. Later the same evening Mr Miles visited the premises of the food shop concerned in the complaint and spoke to the person iri charge He examined the seven pieces of fish in batter in the tray in the kitchen ready for reheating and serving with chips, and found that all had the same "off" odour. He then ordered the destruction of these pieces of fish and asked for a sample of the frozen fish used in fish and chips and had this thawed The frozen fish, when thawed, did not have an ' off' smell said Mr Miles. Mr Miles said he considered that the prime cause of the fish going ' off", was in the failure of the persons responsible for its preparation to ensure that the fish was kept adequately protected from conditions which could hasten its decay. Another factor was the storing of the pre-cooked fish in a hot kitchen without any cooling for the fish, he said. .