A Wombwell food store and its director have been ordered to pay more than £13,000 after pleading guilty to food safety offences.

Vesta Mini Market on Wombwell’s High Street, operated by Vesta Harvest Market Limited, and the company’s director, Aso Majid Marief, 42, appeared before Barnsley’s Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 8 October.

The prosecution involved the sale of food items without allergen information provided in English, and the sale of items without the name and address of a business in the UK taking responsibility for the food.

This followed an investigation by Barnsley Council into failures to comply with these improvement notices, issued under the Food Safety Act 1990.

Mr Marief pleaded guilty on behalf of both the company and in his personal capacity. The court heard eight offences against both the company and Mr Marief.

The court fined Vesta Harvest Market Limited £8,000, and ordered the company to pay £1,422 in costs, alongside a £2,000 victim surcharge, bringing the total financial penalty to £11,422.

Mr Marief himself was fined £738, and ordered to pay £1,250 in costs, alongside a £295 victim surcharge, bringing his individual total financial penalty to £2,283.

The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of food seized by the council.

Cllr Sam Burdett, Cabinet Spokesperson for Communities, said:

“Residents should be able to trust that the food they buy is safe, and that important information about allergens is clearly provided. It’s deeply concerning that this business failed to comply with two improvement notices.  

“For people living with allergies, accurate food labelling is not optional. It is essential and can have very serious consequences if it is missing or unclear. 

“The vast majority of businesses take their responsibilities seriously, but this case shows the council takes firm action where food safety laws are ignored.  

“It is very simple: if you want to operate a business in Barnsley, and benefit financially from the custom and support of the surrounding community, you must comply with the law. When our Council Officers give you an opportunity to improve, make the right choice. Unlawful practices will not go unchallenged. 

“Protecting consumers is one of our most important responsibilities and we will continue to work with businesses to help them comply with the law while taking robust enforcement action when standards fall short.”