Housing Solicitors

A greengrocer based in Edgware, north London has been fined for offering for sale and selling rotten fruit and vegetables that failed to meet minimum quality standards.

The company Yarok (Edgware) Ltd is located at Lanson House, Whitchurch Lane in Edgware, Middlesex.

Joint directors Mr and Mrs S Versani and the company were fined a total of £3,690 at Hendon Magistrates Court on 15 December 2015, following an eight-month investigation by the Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) Horticultural Marketing Inspectors (HMI).

An HMI inspection conducted on 15 April, 2015 found 27 regulated displays in breach of the EU marketing rules for fresh produce quality and labelling, including loose garlic and pre-packed conference pears being offered for sale in a rotten condition.

Mr and Mrs Versani entered individual guilty pleas, as well as admitting culpability on behalf of the company.

They were each fined £250 for the offences, £680 in costs and a £25 victim surcharge. The company was fined £1,000 for the offences, £680 in costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

RPA Operations Director Paul Caldwell said:

“The RPA’s Horticultural Marketing Inspectors pursue criminal prosecution as a last resort when all other attempts to gain the compliance of traders have failed.

“It is important that consumers have confidence and are reassured that they are buying good quality fresh produce which is accurately labelled. We will not hesitate in taking all necessary steps to ensure that they do.

“The prosecution followed a series of risk-based enforcement visits and inspections, carried out by Horticultural Marketing Inspectors between June 2014 and April 2015.

“Concerted efforts were made by the HMI to work closely with the firm’s directors and staff – with face-to-face meetings, verbal warnings and formal written notices, all aimed at achieving improved compliance from the company.”

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