In the last three months, 33 cases (out of 142) were decided by the Magistrate’s Court in seven Health Sittings held. Throughout 2012, 518 cases were brought before the Magistrates Court, which decided 133 cases in around 30 health sittings.

From the cases heard in the last quarter, those found guilty were given conditional discharges ranging from one month to 24 months and to fines, the total of which amounted to €3470. 

The fines were imposed on:

Fairplay, Triq Dragonara, Paceville, San Giljan was fined €466 for permitting smoking inside the premises which was not being carried out in the designated smoking room on two occasions which occurred in April and May 2008;

Gormina Bakery, Triq il-Mosta, San Pawl il-Bahar was fined €467 for failing to abide with undertaking entered upon in January 2011;

Prominent Snack Bar, Triq L-Imdina, Qormi was fined €467 for failing to abide with undertaking entered into in February 2012;

Fish Hawker Vittoriosa Open Market was fined €800 for failing to provide a wash hand basin and sink, not having an adequate supply of hot and cold water and for being a relapser in December 2010;

Fish Hawker Pjazza Antoine de Paule, Paola was fined €800 for keeping fish at a temperature resulting in a risk to health, failing to provide adequate hand washing facilities, improper equipment, food handler not registered with the Food Safety Commission, removing sealed food products without permission by the Health Authority and for being a relapser in December, 2010;

Maria Rosa Winery Ltd, Sqaq il-Hofra, Attard was fined €470 for not abiding with undertaking entered upon in February, 2011.

 

The following were given conditional discharges for a stipulated period:

24 months

Fish Hawker at Vittoriosa Open Market for failing to provide adequate hand and equipment washing facilities in November 2010;

Fish Hawker at Paola Open Market, Triq L-Arkati, Paola for not having a wash hand basin and sink and for failing to provide a supply of hot and cold water in November 2009;

Fish Hawker at Vittoriosa Open Market for keeping fish at a temperature resulting in a risk to health, failing to provide stall with a wash hand basin and sink and for not having a supply of hot and cold water in June 2009.

 

Twelve months

Dates kiosk near Farmers Market, l/o Ta' Qali, Attard for not providing hand washing and equipment cleaning facilities and for failing to register the stall with the Food Safety Commission in February 2012.

 

Six months

Operator of Turkish Mini Market, Sant'Anna, Triq il-Punent, Msida for selling food products with tampered durability date in May 2012;

Operator of Il-Barri Restaurant, Triq il-Wesghat il-Giblew, Mgarr for having in possession horse meat without label and no traceability system and for having packed food products without durability date in February 2012;

Operator of Doughnut Hawker, KBM 963, Misrah Bir id-Deheb, Ghaxaq for failing to provide sink and wash hand basin with a supply of water, both operator and employee for failing to register as food handlers with the Food Safety Commission, exposing doughnuts to risk of contamination and for failing to register vehicle with the Food Safety Commission in May 2012;

Operator of Doughnut Hawker, DAT 614 − Roundabout of Triq il-Mina ta' Hompesch, Zabbar for failing to provide hand washing facilities, not having a supply of hot and cold water and both operator and employee for failing to register as food handlers with the Food Safety Commission in May, 2012.

One accused − two months/One accused − six months

Operators of Stall No.16, Pitkali Centre (Fruit Import), Ta' Qali, Attard for having packed dates with labelling not in official language and for failing to have a traceability system in March 2011.

 

Three months

Operator of Garage No.8, Carmelo De Lucca Street, Qawra for removing sealed food products without permission by the Health Authority in October 2006;

Operator of Smileys Fast Food, Karmenu Abela Street, Hamrun for having in possession food that was unfit for human consumption due to the fact that it was prepared and manufactured using rancid oil in April 2008;

Operator of LK Tyre Services & Car Dealer, Mdina Rd, Zebbug for failing to register as a food handler with the Food Safety Commission, obstructing an officer from carrying out his duties, exposing food to risk of contamination, failing to register as a trader and for failing to register both the premises and vehicle GAE 757 which is used for transportation of food with the Food Safety Commission in November 2006;

Operator of Mac Sean, Triq Wejter, Birkirkara for failing to provide equipment cleaning facilities in February 2012.

 

1 month

Operator of La Cubana Bar, Birkirkara Road, St Julian’s for permitting smoking inside the premises in April, 2012

One week to carry out de-registration or €500 fine would be paid in case of non-compliance

Operator of Chez Gaetan, St Anthony Street c/w Bay Square, Bugibba for failing to keep the premises in a good state of hygiene and repair, floors were not being kept in good condition, exposing food to risk of contamination, exposing equipment in direct contact with food to risk of contamination, drainage facilities were not constructed to avoid risk of contamination, ceiling was found in unhygienic condition, door leading to the outside was not provided with an insect screen that can be easily removed for cleaning, not providing an adequate artificial lighting intensity and preparation area was not adequately ventilated in October 2008.