By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A FORMER manager of a Fountain Gate fruit and vegetable business has stuck by his claims of “appalling” food safety and hygiene standards at the shop and denies he is a disgruntled ex-employee.
Michael Storer, who worked for A & S Wholesale Fruit and Vegetables for three months, told Star News “I can guarantee it was all true”.
The graphic photos posted by Mr Storer on Facebook on Monday 5 October were also authentic, he said.
“I can guarantee they weren’t taken in the rubbish area.”
The post went viral, being shared more than 27,000 times in less than two days. Mr Storer said he then took the post down because he was being overwhelmed by messages.
A & S Wholesale had stated it had earlier requested Facebook to take down the post.
The store countered with its own Facebook post on Tuesday, which defended its health and safety practices.
“We want to assure our customers that our produce is stored and rotated appropriately on a daily basis to ensure that all food is fresh, clean and handled effectively,” it said.
“We have strict cleaning and hygiene policies in place that we continue to work on and improve.”
At the time spokeswoman Sophie Broomfield added: “He’s obviously a disgruntled ex-employee.”
Mr Storer, who said he had a “real laugh” at the company’s post, denied claims that he was a “disgruntled ex-employee”.
“I left on my own terms. I left because I was disgusted in the store. After a week there I was looking around for a new job.
“I tried to change things there but they didn’t want a bar of it.”
Mr Storer said he posted the claims out of “conscience” and that it was right to notify families who were shopping at the store.
“If the post has (changed the store’s practices) I’m happy I did it.
“I’ve had current and past employees message me, saying they would back me.”
A & S Wholesale spokeswoman Sophie Broomfield said legal action against Mr Storer was being considered.
When asked if Mr Storer’s photos were identifiably taken in the rubbish area rather than the store, she said: “In my view, yes.”
She stated on Wednesday that Casey Council inspectors had found there were no food safety and hygiene issues at the store that day.
Casey Council declined to reveal the outcome of its “ongoing” investigation of the store.
