Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Woman finds oven glove in Hovis loaf

Michael McHugh,Press Association
Tuesday 19 January 2010 11:01 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The baker of Hovis bread was fined £750 after a woman in Northern Ireland found part of an oven glove baked into a slice, it was revealed today.

The victim toasted the white bread and had begun to eat it when she noticed the material.

The packet turned out to be full of shreds of the hessian-type cloth.

Chairman of Omagh Council Paddy Magowan said: "The very fact that they have been fined quite a substantial sum should send out a warning to all other companies to be on your best behaviour and to be very careful about your processes and manufacturing."

Herefordshire-based Hovis makers Premier Foods was prosecuted for selling food to the prejudice a purchaser at Omagh Magistrates' Court, Co Tyrone.

District Judge Greg McCourt imposed the fine on January 8 and ordered the company to pay court costs of £85 after it had earlier pleaded guilty.

The loaf had been bought from a local shop just before Christmas 2008. When the victim discovered the contamination she reported the matter to the environmental health section of the council.

Chief environmental health officer at the council Barny Heywood said: "Environmental Health Officers work with food businesses to provide advice on complying with food safety laws. However, when they fail to follow that advice, formal action must be considered."

A spokesman for Premier Foods said: "We go to great lengths to assure the quality of our great British brands but on this isolated occasion we have fallen short of our usual high standards and apologise for any distress caused to the customer."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in