Flies and Mice Lead to Ban For Southall Food Director

RS UK Foods Ltd now in liquidation

The director of a Southall firm with a track record of poor hygiene has been banned from running a food business.

Ealing Council took Mrs Mandakini Bhatt, of RS UK Foods Ltd, to court after a series of problems including flies in the food, mice infestation, and the wrong labelling of products.

The company at Unit 1a, Cranleigh Gardens Industrial Estate, Southall, sold Indian sweets, such as rasmalai, and frozen savouries, such as samosas and wraps, nationwide.

In March 2014 two tinned sweet products had to be recalled because they contained wheat which wasn’t listed on the labels - a potential health risk for anyone with a wheat or gluten allergy. In May 2015 the factory was closed down due to an infestation of mice and the following month and again in October 2015, food was taken away after it was found to have flies in it.

Mrs Bhatt pleaded guilty to failing to keep her factory clean contrary to Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

Ealing Council’s regulatory services took the extraordinary step to have her formally banned from managing or participating in any food business because of the long history of flouting regulations.

On top of the ban, Mrs Bhatt was ordered to pay a fine of £320, a £32 victim surcharge and £2,582.80 in costs, a total of £2,934.80.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for community services and safety, said: “Mrs Bhatt continually failed to ensure her factory was clean and suitable for making food products that were safe for people to eat.

“I am really pleased the court agreed with us taking this extraordinary action in a bid to protect residents from a company that repeatedly flouted food hygiene regulations. We don’t use this measure that often but it is an enforcement power available to us that sends a strong message to others.”

RS UK Foods Ltd is currently in liquidation.

17th August 2016