A Leeds retailer has been fined over £5,000 for attempting to sell fresh grapes that were “100 per cent rotten” and unfit for human consumption.
Salam Mohammad, owner of Gihan Store on Harehills Lane, Leeds, appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on 4 December. He was found guilty of displaying and offering for sale regulated fresh fruit and vegetables below the minimum standards permitted.
He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £2,859.20 and a £170 victims surcharge, making a total penalty of £5,029.20.
On visiting the store, Horticultural Marketing Inspectors (HMI) found it was selling grapes that had 100 per cent rots – making them unfit for human consumption – and were not properly labelled.
HMI enforcement lead Simon Cann said: “We carry out inspections to make sure that fresh produce offered to the consumer is accurately labelled, of acceptable quality and that unsatisfactory produce is kept off the market.
“Concerted efforts were made by HMI to work closely with this 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.”
