RS UK Food Ltd’s sole director Mandakini Bhatt was prosecuted by Ealing Council for failing to keep her factory clean in compliance with Food Safety and Hygiene (England) regulations 2013.
Bhatt pleaded guilty to these offences on August 4.
The company at Unit 1a, Cranleigh Gardens Industrial Estate, Southall, sold Indian sweets and frozen savouries, including samosas and wraps, nationwide.
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.
‘Extraordinary action’
“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.”
The business is now in liquidation and Bhatt is banned from running another food business.
RS UK Food Ltd has had a history of non-compliance with food safety controls, including a recall on two tinned sweet products in March 2014 because they contained wheat that was not listed on their labels.
Infestation of mice
The factory was closed down in May 2015 due to an infestation of mice. It was closed again in June 2015 and October 2015 when food was taken away after it was found to have flies in it.
Flies were also found in and around the company’s food products.
Bhatt’s history of flouting regulations and her unwillingness to comply with regulations after non-formal interventions were made by the council led to a life-long ban from running or being part of a food business.
Bhatt was also ordered to pay a fine of £320, a £32 victim surcharge and £2,582.80 in costs – a total of £2,934.80.