The prosecution is the latest in a crackdown on illegal businesses

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

Vesta Harvest Market Limited, trading as Vesta Mini Market on High Street, Wombwell, and the company's director, Aso Majid Marief, aged 42, appeared before Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

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

It followed an investigation by Barnsley Council into failures to comply with two improvement notices issued under the Food Safety Act 1990 and the sale of unsafe food products whose packaging did not state allergens in English.

Marief entered guilty pleas on behalf of both the company and in his personal capacity.

The court heard eight offences against each defendant.

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

Marief was fined £738 and ordered to pay £1,250 in costs and a £295 victim surcharge, bringing his 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 will take 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.”