Vic: Supermarket fined after mice-damaged chapattis on sale

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2006
Vic: Supermarket fined after mice-damaged chapattis on sale

MELBOURNE, Dec 19 AAP - A Coles supermarket in Victoria has been fined $20,000 after
chapattis nibbled by mice were found on sale.

Coles Supermarkets Australia pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court last
Thursday and was fined $20,000, Port Phillip Council said today.

The supermarket, in Bay Street, Port Melbourne, also had to pay the council's legal
costs of $3,500.

The fine came after a complaint to the council in May this year from a customer.

Shelves were checked and chapatti wraps nibbled by mice were still on the shelf for
sale, the council said.

Scott Whiffin, from Coles Myer, said the organisation accepted the outcome.

"All through this process we've worked with the council to address the issue and we're
confident the problem no longer exists," he said.

Asked whether it was disappointing that the court action came soon before Christmas,
a traditionally busy time for food retailers, he said: "It is disappointing it would happen
any time."

Port Phillip mayor Janet Bolitho said it was regrettable the supermarket had sold unsuitable
food.

She said Coles had fully complied with an improvement order and she was happy that
council officers had responded to the issue quickly.

AAP xlc/gfr/goc/de

KEYWORD: CHAPATTI

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