Supermarket giant Morrisons has been fined £10,000 after a customer almost swallowed a piece of glass found in a meal at its Newtown store.

Brian Caddick, of Welshpool, put the piece of glass into his mouth along with beans and chips at the Pool Road store, Welshpool Magistrates Court was told yesterday.

The court heard environmental health officers were later informed.

But when they visited the store six weeks later they found a smashed heating lamp bulb still positioned above the hot food.

Mr Michael Davies, presiding magistrate, said: “This could have been fatal if Mr Caddick had swallowed the glass.”

The company, which admitted the charge of selling food which failed to comply with food safety rules, said it had now altered the way the bulbs were checked nationwide.

Morrisons was also ordered to pay £665 environmental health costs, £175 legal costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Nigel Vaughan, prosecuting for Powys County Council, said Mr Caddick and his wife visited the store for something to eat on August 23, 2008. He said Mr Caddick ordered the meal and returned to his seat.

Mr Vaughan said Mr Caddick spotted something as he put some food to his mouth and then felt it as he chewed.

“When he pulled it out it appeared to be a test tube-style piece of glass,” he said.

Mr Vaughan said Mr Caddick complained to the manager and an investigation was carried out by Morrisons. However, he said Mr Caddick was unsatisfied with the result and alerted environmental health officers on October 6.

John Hall, for Morrisons, said: “We are hugely embarrassed by this.”

A spokesman for the firm added: “Morrisons would like to apologise to Mr Caddick for his experience. We have accepted full responsibility for the matter. This is an isolated incident and we have put in place additional measures to ensure that it does not reoccur.”

Councillor Graham Brown, board member for public protection on Powys County Council, said: “This case must send out a stark warning to food businesses failing to comply with legal requirements. This food complaint had the potential to cause serious injury and the fine imposed by the court reflects this.”

By Andrew Morris