A COUNCIL temporarily closed down a farm shop and café in Hambleton after inspectors found serious health risks when investigating an allegation of poor hygiene.

Environmental health officers with Hambleton District Council visited Langthornes Buffalo Produce in Crawford Grange, Brompton to carry out an inspection of the premises near Northallerton.

When they arrived, they discovered what the council described as poor standards of cleanliness of the structure and food equipment, foods at risk of contamination, food that was mouldy and decomposing, food being offered for sale past its use by date and other “serious breaches” of food hygiene laws.

The officers used emergency closure powers under the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations to issue a hygiene prohibition notice requiring the immediate closure of the premises.

On Monday (August 14) the council applied to Northallerton Magistrates Court to grant a court order acknowledging the use of emergency powers and to keep the premises closed until the council was satisfied that the business could be operated hygienically.

Following the hearing a further inspection was carried out, at which time permission was given to re-open the business after the owner demonstrated that they had completed all necessary improvements and had removed the health-risks conditions.

“Poor standards of hygiene in Hambleton are rare,” said Councillor Stephen Watson, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health, Waste and Recycling.

“This is the result of the approach our Environmental Health Officers take to work with businesses in providing advice and guidance on maintaining good hygiene and food safety standards.

“The vast majority of food businesses are well managed and achieve a good food hygiene rating which consumers expect to see.

“It is therefore a serious concern when officers find poor standards of cleanliness and contaminated food and must take prompt enforcement action to protect public safety.

“Officers will continue to visit this food business to monitor standards of hygiene and will investigate the reasons for the conditions found to determine if further enforcement action is warranted.”

Last year the family-run firm was in the running for a prestigious national award for its products, created from livestock born, raised and slaughtered on site.

A spokesperson for the shop said they wanted to thank their customers for their on-going support, stating: "The shop has reopened following a reinspection and that we would like to thank our many long standing customers for their on-going support."