The owner of an IGA supermarket fined $45,000 for Food Act breaches, including selling food after its use-by date, says the store has bounced back after a “tough time”.

Adrian De Mattia said the breaches, for which he received a $45,000 fine, came at a time when a long-term staff member had passed away.

“It was a pretty tough time for us,” he said.

“We had the death (of a long-term employee) and it was just a bad time all round.”

Mr De Mattis said the conviction related to lapses in the deli section.

“Everything has been rectified and (the City of Rockingham) has given us the tick of approval,” he said.

“In the 17 years that we’ve been here that’s really the only time we’ve fallen backwards.”

The supermarket was fined $45,000 plus costs of $2218.30 for a range of breaches, including:

Not clearly identifying food that is held and kept separate for disposal, as food that is or may not be safe or suitable.

Not maintaining food premises to a standard of cleanliness.

Not maintaining equipment to a standard of cleanliness.

Not maintaining food premises in a good state of repair.

Selling food after its use-by date.

The supermarket is the second outlet to be convicted of Food Act breaches in 2019, with underground barbecue venue Big Don’s Smoked Meats fined $30,000 in January.

In 2018, 15 outlets were fined over the course of the year, including: