Morrisons Supermarket Fined £750,000 for Cwmbran Bakery Hygiene Failures

Morrisons faces a £737,000 fine and an additional £13,221.38 in costs and a victim surcharge, after a Newport Magistrates' Court ruling concerning severe food hygiene breaches at its Cwmbran bakery.

The penalties stem from a routine inspection in August 2024, during which Torfaen council officers identified 51 critical failures in food safety management. These included poor cleanliness, unsanitary equipment, insufficient staff oversight, and broader management deficiencies, issues reportedly known to the supermarket's management for over a month prior to the inspection.

Judge Sophie Toms emphasised that the case reflected "serious and systemic failures" rather than isolated incidents, asserting that Morrisons had endangered customer health and safety. The bakery was immediately closed for an extensive clean-up following the discovery.

Daniel Morelli, Torfaen council's public protection chief, stated that the council would not hesitate to pursue legal action when consumer well-being is compromised. Morrisons acknowledged its disappointment regarding the bakery's condition in August 2024, describing it as a "single local issue" that was promptly addressed in cooperation with the council, claiming sustained improvements since.