A shopkeeper has pleaded guilty to selling food that poses a serious health risk to customers.

Anna Zyla, owner of Krushynka - a specialist Polish food shop in Stevenage town centre - admitted two counts of storing high risk foods above 8�C at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court.

Stevenage Borough Council’s environmental health officers visited the shop on three occasions throughout June to find herring fillets and processed cheese with ham stored between 17�C and 14�C.

Richard Henry, executive member for Safer and Stronger Communities said: “Storing food at these at dangerously high temperatures can lead to the development of pathogenic bacteria such as E. Coli, campylobacter and salmonella – all of which present very serious health risks.

“We hope that this prosecution will highlight the importance of temperature control to other local businesses to ensure that the produce they’re selling is not putting shoppers at risk.”

Ms Zyla was fined �300 and ordered to pay �100 in court costs plus a �15 victim surcharge.