The businesses in Cockfosters, Bush Hill Park and Forty Hill were selling food past the product’s ‘use by’ date in breach of food safety regulations

Food found past its use by date by Enfield Council’s food safety team, clockwise from top; Turkey rashers at Cockfosters Food and Wine, sausages at Costcutter, and meatballs at Forty Hill Food and Wine — Illegal food on sale at (clockwise from top) Cockfosters Food and Wine, Costcutter in Enfield, and Forty Hill Food and Wine

Three businesses have been successfully prosecuted by Enfield Council for illegally selling unsafe food.

Food safety officers visited Costcutter in Main Avenue, Cockfosters Food and Wine, and Forty Hill Food and Wine on 10th October last year and found food on sale that was past its ‘use by’ date in all three shops.

Costcutter was found to be selling 17 items of illegal food, including Layla cheese with a ‘use by’ date of 23rd September.

Cockfosters Food and Wine in Cockfosters Road was found to be selling four packets of sliced turkey rashers with a ‘use by’ date of 9th October.

Forty Hill Food and Wine in Forty Hill was found to be selling 21 items of out-of-date food including Dairylea Lunchables with a ‘use by’ date of 2nd October.

Susan Erbil, cabinet member for planning and regulatory services, said: “I was concerned to learn that out-of-date food was put on sale to residents in convenience stores in the borough.

“Business owners have a responsibility to ensure they are not breaching food safety laws by selling out of food that could put resident’s health at risk. Residents deserve to know the food they are buying is safe to eat.

“These cases should serve as a reminder that food safety laws exist to protect everyone and must be taken seriously.”

Costcutter pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Thursday, 21st August; the company was told to pay a total of £2,338 in fines and costs. Two company directors were also prosecuted separately, with each director told to pay £1,696.

Forty Hill Food and Wine was found guilty at a hearing on Thursday, 18th September at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court and was told to pay a total of £3,295 in fines and costs.

At the same court on the same day, Cockfosters Food and Wine pleaded guilty and was told to pay a total in fines and costs of £1,640.

The convenience stores were all prosecuted for breaches of the Food Safety & Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

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