View: Court hears there was an 'active infestation' after beetles and moths are discovered in the Food Weighouse in Redcar
Gallery: Insects found at the Food Weighouse in Redcar
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Insects found in a bag of muesli by a shocked shopper have landed a businessman with a hefty bill.
The creepy crawlies were discovered by a member of the public after buying the muesli from a "failing" Redcar store, a court heard.
The health food turned out to be not so healthy when it was found to be infested with insects, some dead, some dying but others alive.
Redcar and Cleveland Council received a complaint about the contaminated muesli bought from the Food Weighouse in High Street, Redcar.
Serious food hygiene breaches were discovered when environmental health officers from the council visited the premises on July 29 last year.
Janine Morgan, representing the council, told Teesside Magistrates’ Court there was “active insect infestation in the retail area”.
She said: “Many insects, of different life stages including larvae, nymphs and adults, were found, which indicated an established infestation.
“Insects were present on the floor surfaces, particularly around the food containers.
“Insects were also in high risk areas, inside food containers and on food items.”
They were later identified as being Australian spider beetles, a common dried food pest, along with Indian meal moths and casings from hide or leather beetles.
The operator of the business, Derek Wadsworth, was away and a female food handler was the only employee present.
She made the decision to close the premises while investigations continued.
Other breaches included a lack of routine cleaning of structure and equipment and food containers damaged or worn and unable to be effectively cleaned.
Wadsworth, 46, of Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe, pleaded guilty to six offences under food hygiene regulations and one under the Food Safety Act.
Paul Watson, mitigating, said it was a case of potential risk rather than actual injury.
He said Wadsworth had experienced financial difficulties and had been operating “a failing business”, with demotivated staff.
He was now “faced with the economic fact that it is no longer viable”.
Magistrates fined him £5,000 with £3,564 costs and £120 surcharge.
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