A fruit and veg seller from Coulsdon has been prosecuted by Croydon Council and ordered to pay over £100,000 for putting their customers’ health at risk with poor food hygiene standards.
Inspections by the Council’s food safety team found pigeon droppings on food, rat droppings next to food and gnawed food in the warehouse. Very little evidence of care taken to protect food from pest infestation was seen.
Investigations found significant risks to customers. Pest control measures were not in place, basic hygiene practices were not being followed and food was unprotected.
The Council issued K Veg Wholesale Ltd., based in Ullswater Crescent, with multiple hygiene improvement notices following the inspections, all of which were not complied with. This business is a large importer and distributor supplying wholesalers, retailers and shops across the UK, meaning the failings had a potential effect on a large number of people.
When heard at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, the District Judge noted that it was highly likely that the conditions found at the premises would have resulted in customers experiencing ill health.
The company director, Mr Vettivelu Thiraviyathasan, pleaded guilty on behalf of the business and was ordered to pay a fine of £100,000 for the offences, a victim surcharge of £2,000 and the Council’s full costs of £5,097.37 were awarded. A total penalty of £107,097.37.
“We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to businesses that put our residents’ health at risk through poor food hygiene standards.
“Our food safety team works hard to protect residents and support businesses to operate within the law. Where businesses ignore repeated warnings and fail to meet basic standards, we will take enforcement action and will not hesitate to prosecute.
“Residents deserve to feel proud and confident in the businesses serving their communities.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Residents can contact food.safety@croydon.gov.uk if they feel a Croydon business is selling food unsafely.
