The Director of Top DIY Tools Ltd trading as Ynyshir Stores has been prosecuted by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards for displaying food past their use by dates for sale and for selling expired food to an officer of the authority.
Appearing at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court on the 5th July 2023, Mr Ajaykumar Patel Director of Top DIY Tools Ltd, pleaded guilty and was made to pay a total of £1,864.
The fine consisted of a £600 fine, £1024 costs, and £240 victim surcharge.
The offence was discovered following a complaint received by the Trading Standards team. A visit was conducted in response to the complaint to check compliance in June 2022 where the Food Standards officer found a number of expired food products displayed for sale. The officer initially gave advice to the food business and a later visit was made to ensure no further expired food was displayed. Unfortunately, on the next visit an officer once again discovered more food past their use by date and was able to purchase those items that had expired.
Rhian Hope, Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “Trading Standards Officers work reactively to complaints received to ensure food and drink sold to the public is safe.
“This type of offence puts the members of the public at risk if they were to consume the unsafe food. A food business has a duty to protect its customers by providing food that is fit for human consumption.
I hope this demonstrates to consumers that checks are being made by Trading Standards, and this type of offence will be acted on to ensure that consumers are not put at risk and products are safe for human consumption.”
For more information on trading standards and consumer rights visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/TradingStandards
