A shopkeeper has been fined over £3,000 for displaying and selling rotten fruit and vegetables at his Leeds store.
Sohail Saleem was convicted at Leeds Magistrates Court on 3 May for stocking rank cauliflower as well as mouldy nectarines and garlic at Makkah Foods on Brudenell Road.
Saleem was caught by the the Horticultural Marketing Inspectors (HMI) following a six-month investigation, during which time they repeatedly warned Saleem, to little effect.
He was found guilty of five quality and labelling offences, although the first specimen charge for cauliflowers was selected with all the four remaining charges taken into account.
Peter Bainbridge, RPA operations director, warned the fresh produce industry that they face criminal sanctions if they fail to live up to legal standards.
“The ultimate objective of the RPA’s Horticultural Marketing Inspectors is to work closely with the fresh produce industry at all times. They use face-to-face inspection as a means of providing advice and guidance to help support retailers such as Mr Saleem understand the role that the marketing standards can play in adding real value to their business,” Bainbridge said.
“Unfortunately their advice is not always heeded by individuals and businesses and when all other options are exhausted, the RPA will resort to the use of criminal sanction to bring about a required change in behaviour.”
Saleem was fined a total of £1500, with a further £1500 prosecution and investigation costs and a £150 victim surcharge - bringing the total penalty to £3,150.
