EXPIRED YOGHURT BRINGS MISERY TO BRITISH CHEF

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, July 14 (Bernama) -- A British chef is facing a 92,000 dirham fine
(about US$25,000) after being convicted of storing a container of expired
yoghurt in a restaurant at a leading hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Pleading with the judge to have the fine overturned when his case was heard
at the Criminal Court of Appeal yesterday, the head chef, identified as PH,
contended that he was only an employee of the Emirates Palace hotel and should
not have been the one charged with the offence.

"I signed the documents, but I did not understand that I would be the one
charged. I'm only an employee," The National quoted him as saying.

The offending item was found by Abu Dhabi Municipality inspectors during a
routine visit about a month ago.

PH's attorney said the food was only one day past its expiry date.

Following his conviction, the chef was ordered to pay 70,000 dirhams for
not educating his staff on the emirate's food expiration laws, 20,000 dirhams
for storing expired food, as well as 2,000 dirhams in municipality fees,
according to the daily.

The appeal verdict would be known on July 22.
-- BERNAMA