Incident Demonstrates Need for Compliant Refrigeration
London Incident Demonstrates Need for Compliant Refrigeration
When couples plan their weddings, the comfort and enjoyment of the guests are top priorities. So imagine the surprise of one bride and groom who,
last year, discovered nearly all of their 470 guests suffered from food poisoning as a result of eating a catered meal provided by a London food service
company. The troubling story clearly illustrates the need for compliant refrigeration among companies involved in food service preparation
and catering.
Get West London reported on the story in November, after Ealing Magistrates Court sentenced the catering company’s owner. According
to reports, the original problem dates back to September 2013. The company, known at the time as The Royal Club, provided catering to the couple and
their guests. However, rice contaminated with E. coli bacteria made nearly all of them sick.
Authorities were contacted when nearly 100 of the guests were found willing to make an official report. An investigation revealed numerous health
and food service violations at the catering company's headquarters in Ealing. Not only did The Royal Club employ only one worker with food service
safety training, they also had no refrigerated vehicles for food transportation nor refrigerated trailers on-site.
Even if food had not been contaminated in the kitchen, the company had no means of preventing spoilage during the event.
As a result of the incident and the discovered violations, the company's owner was fined more than £20,000 and ordered to not manage or direct any
company for at least five years. The Royal Club has since changed hands. It is now being operated by a new enterprise employing only staff that are
properly trained and qualified. The new company has also met all the requirements of safety and health regulations.
Public Safety Issue
We are relieved to know that none of those who were sickened in this incident was seriously harmed. Things could have been much more serious. Furthermore,
the story provides us an excellent opportunity to remind caterers and other food service companies of the need for compliant refrigeration, both in
the kitchen and on-site for events. Food spoilage is a real concern that could have potentially devastating consequences. Do not take that risk.
Icecool Trailers specialises in affordable portable refrigeration for caterers and other food service businesses. We offer a range of solutions including refrigerated trailers, freezer trailers,
and both walk-in cold rooms and freezers. All four styles come in
different sizes to meet your company's unique needs.
We can deliver your trailer or walk-in room according to your schedule. We deliver the unit, install the lighting and shelving, and get it up and
running so that you are ready to go. All that is left for you is to put your food inside. When your rental term is up, we come back and take the unit
away. We handle all maintenance issues in the interim as well.
Icecool Trailers also offers portable refrigeration and freezer capacity on an emergency basis. We can deliver within two hours inside of our London
delivery area and on the same day to most other locales. Call us for more information at any time. We want to be your
portable refrigeration specialists in England and Wales.
Sources:
1.Get West London – http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/20k-fine-greenford-caterers-after-8179520
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