Leeds based fresh produce retailer fined for selling rotten fruit and vegetables

During a six-month investigation, Horticultural Marketing Inspectors (HMI) found a number of decaying items, including rotten caulifowers, pre-packed nectarines and bunched garlic, on display at Makkah Foods, Brudenell Road.

Horticultural Marketing Inspectors are part of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and are responsible for the enforcement of the EU marketing standards for fresh fruit, vegetables, salad crops, nuts and cultivated mushroom, throughout England and Wales.

Appearing at Leeds Magistrates Court on 3 May, the owner of the retail business Mr Sohail Saleem 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.

He was fined a total of £1,500, with a further £1,500 prosecution and investigation costs and a £150 victim surcharge – bringing the total penalty to £3,150.