A BUTCHERS in Reading has been fined more than £31,000 for “serious and repeated” food safety breaches.
Freddies Afro Caribbean Ltd, on Whitley Street was formally closed by Reading Borough Council for more than two weeks in October last year after food safety officers identified a serious cockroach infestation in the butchery area.
They also found rat droppings throughout during a routine inspection.
The business was issued with Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices, and given the lowest possible food hygiene rating score– 0 out of 5.
Food Safety Officers then made multiple follow-up inspection visits over the following weeks to monitor the improvements required to be made by the business operator.
Freddies was allowed to re-open and resume trade on 31 October last year, after full pest control treatment and a deep clean of the premises.
However, at a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on November 7,the company, Freddies Afro Caribbean Ltd, pleaded guilty to six food hygiene offences.
It was subsequently fined £11,880, plus half the Council’s costs of £2,010, a victim surcharge of £4,752.
Mr Otoo, sole director of Freddies Afro Caribbean Ltd, also pleaded guilty to six separate food hygiene offences.
He was fined £7,800, plus half the Council’s costs of £2,010 and ordered to pay the victim surcharge of £3,120.
The financial penalties totalled £31,572, though the fines were reduced as credit was given for the early guilty pleas.
The fines must now be paid within three years.
The fine for Mr Otoo follows a previous case in 2023 where Food Safety officers removed illegal ‘Smokies’ from the business.
Smokies are a traditional delicacy of many West-African countries, where meat from sheep or goats is scorched with a blow-torch, giving it a smoked odour.
In the UK it is illegal to produce or sell Smokies under the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations in England
Cllr Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Public Health and Education, said: “Infestations of this nature are not only unacceptable but can cause significant harm, including the spread of food poisoning diseases.
“In their repeated failures to uphold proper levels of hygiene, the business and its operator demonstrated a blatant disregard for the health and safety of their customers, staff, and the wider community.
“Our Environmental Health officers work hard to protect the safety and wellbeing of residents and visitors.
“In this case, they intervened in appalling conditions, and their hard work led to a successful prosecution.
“We expect all food businesses to always maintain the highest standards of hygiene and food safety.
“While we aim to support them in meeting their obligations, we will take appropriate enforcement action where serious risks persist.”
Anyone concerned about safety or hygiene at a food business is encouraged to report them in confidence via: reading.gov.uk/business.
Any businesses requiring guidance or support are also encouraged to make contact for some free initial advice.
