Hayes food shop owner fined after unknown animal head found in freezer

Jean Bitulu, of Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 10 September where he admitted failing to ensure traceability of food products, in compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations. 

The court was told an environmental health officer and a food safety officer from Hillingdon Council visited John Foods, Unit 7, Hayes Shopping Centre, 91-95 Coldharbour Lane, unannounced on 19 July 2023 to carry out a routine food hygiene and safety inspection. 

The officers found dried black smoked fish with mould in a chest freezer, frozen grubs and insects, and the head of an unknown animal - later forensically identified as that of an African bush pig, a product not permitted in the UK. 

There were no receipts or invoices to account for the food and when asked where the items had come from, Bitulu said there was no documentation because a lady had walked into his shop with the items in a suitcase and asked how much he wanted to buy. 

The court heard other items of frozen fish were also found, none of it labelled to indicate what it was, or where it had come from. The council officers removed this food as it did not comply with legal traceability requirements and so could not be sold to the public for consumption. 

Bitulu had been issued previous food hygiene warnings by the council in 2021 and 2022, the court heard. 

In defence, the court was told the items were for personal consumption and not for sale and that the shop had since ceased trading. 

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "This is a shocking example of a local business flouting regulations which are in place to keep everybody safe. Buying stock of unknown provenance out of the suitcase of a passer-by is as far from safe, or sensible practice for a food business as you can get. 

"The food hygiene and safety regulations serve to protect the interests - and wellbeing - of consumers and this case highlights why they're required. 

"We fully support our local businesses and want them to succeed so the borough can thrive economically but we also won't hesitate to take action where people try and side-step the rules." 

Bitulu was fined £492 - reduced for his early guilty plea and was further ordered to pay victim surcharge of £197 and the council's prosecution costs of £3,026.25. 

A forfeiture order was made for the destruction of the seized items. 

Find out more about the council's food hygiene inspections, or how to report suspected food crime at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/food-hygiene.