A Leeds based retailer has been ordered to pay almost £3,400 for displaying, offering for sale and selling rotten fruit and vegetables that failed to meet minimum quality standards.
Mohammad Ozair Siddique, Director of Leeds City Stores Ltd. appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court following a seven month long investigation by the Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) Horticultural Marketing Inspectors (HMI).
A final HMI inspection of the premises on Shepherds Lane, Leeds conducted on 12 May 2016, found displays in breach of the EU marketing rules for fresh produce quality and labelling, including rotten loquats and peaches.
In court Mr Siddique pleaded guilty to the charges on behalf of the company and was fined £1,000, £2,293 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.
Paul Caldwell, RPA Operations Director said:
Concerted efforts were made by HMI to work closely with the business through face-to-face meetings, verbal warnings and formal written notices, all aimed at achieving improved compliance from the business.
Unfortunately such advice is not always heeded and when all other options have been exhausted we will resort to the use of criminal sanction to bring about a required change in behaviour.
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