A SHOP which persistently flouted food safety regulations despite repeated warnings from Barnsley Council’s Trading Standards officers has been slapped with a closure order.
Bryar Raza Ahmed, who runs JD Mini Market on Barnsley Road in Goldthorpe, was selling items which were found without allergenic information.
Following a council-led probe, Trading Standards inspectors also found more than 13,000 cigarettes which did not comply for the requirements for health warnings.
The 33-year-old previously pleaded guilty and was told to pay court costs of £1,397 and a £114 surcharge.
However, the Chronicle can now reveal that the shop has been forced to close for three months following another hearing at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.
It’s the latest enforcement action taking by Trading Standards, whose officers have been successful in securing convictions against multiple shops selling illegal products in recent months.
Coun Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said: “Thanks to the hard work of our Trading Standards officers, legal services and South Yorkshire Police, this collaborative effort highlights the importance of partnership working in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our residents.
“Our teams are here to support businesses to comply with laws and regulations, but if you trade illegally and continue to do so when warned by our team, we will take action.
“Businesses that sell food products have a responsibility to make sure the food they are selling is safe.
“Food products from other countries can be sold to other businesses without being fully re-labelled.
“However, before these products can be sold to customers, a UK company must check the ingredients are UK safe and legal and put their name and address on the product in case of any issues.”
Despite previous criminal proceedings, the illegal activities persisted and intelligence suggested that the business was also selling age-restricted vapes to children.
South Yorkshire Police supported the team and a 16-year-old cadet volunteered to show that the shop was also selling age-restricted vapes to children.
Despite being informed of the criminal activities, the landlord failed to take action to prevent this activity from taking place.
It will be closed until 11.59pm on November 13.
“If you have any questions or need any advice in relation to food labelling, or you see anything suspicious or suspect a business or person might be trading illegally, contact the team by emailing regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk or calling 01226 773 743,” Coun Cain added.
“Businesses that sell food products have a responsibility to make sure the food they are selling is safe.
“Food products from other countries can be sold to other businesses without being fully re-labelled.
“However, before these products can be sold to customers, a UK company must check the ingredients are UK safe and legal, and put their name and address on the product in case of any issues.”
