October 17, 2008
UK seafood supplier ordered to destroy "revolting" products
Premium seafood supplier, Allan Rich Seafoods, has been ordered to destroy 200 tonnes of seafood that were found to be crawling with maggots and partially eaten by rats.
The products in question were discovered at the company's depot in Brookenby, Lincolnshire in July during a routine visit by environmental health officers. The warehouse was also said to be filthy and full of refuse.
The products were found to be seven years out of date.
The company supplies to some of London's top restaurants, and the trading standards officials have now launched major search to track down and recall all remaining products supplied by the company.
Joanna Riddell, community health manager at West Lindsey District Council, said they are working out where sold products are and trying to recall them.
The trade standards council closed the business on September 23, while magistrates granted the destruction order on Monday and ordered the company to pay about GBP 23,000 of incineration costs.
The court also ruled the company did not have necessary paperwork from the council to run a business, and lacked approval under regulations designed to allow foods to be traced back to their place of origin.
Roland Saldanha, managing director of Allan Rich Seafoods, defended that the maggot-ridden fish had already been condemned and was destined to be processed into fishmeal.
