North Herts Council has successfully prosecuted Letchworth Garden City Bakery Ltd and its director, Amjad Malik, for 15 food hygiene offences.

The case was heard at Stevenage Magistrates' Court on Friday, 29 November 2024. It highlighted serious food safety risks to customers as well as "unfair economic practices".

Malik and the bakery pleaded guilty to all 15 charges, which were uncovered during two inspections earlier this year.

The offences included severe hygiene breaches, which not only endangered public health but also gave Malik an "unfair advantage" over competitors who comply with food safety regulations.

The court imposed fines totalling £19,282, including victim surcharges and costs. Mr Malik was fined £1,500, with an additional victim surcharge of £600, and ordered to pay half of the council's costs, amounting to £3,086.

Letchworth Garden City Bakery Ltd faced fines of £9,000, a victim surcharge of £2,000, and was also ordered to pay £3,086 in costs.

This is the third time Mr Malik has been prosecuted for similar offences. The Magistrates Court warned that any future breaches could result in the case being referred to the Crown Court, where penalties could include significantly higher fines or even imprisonment.

Cllr Dave Winstanley, North Herts Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, said: "Whilst I am never pleased to see any of our businesses being prosecuted, where there are clear public safety risks, it's reassuring to know that our council officers are enforcing legal standards to keep our communities safe.

"This prosecution highlights the hard work our food officers put into ensuring food safety, while also helping to maintain a level playing field for our food businesses. No one should gain an unfair economic advantage by neglecting to invest in and maintain their operations, as we've seen in this case.

"We all face challenges, but cutting corners on hygiene and food safety is never acceptable. I'm pleased to say our food officers will always address poor practice and legal breaches whenever they arise."

One significant aspect of this case was the use of video evidence, which provided a compelling visual account of the poor conditions within the bakery.

The footage illustrated the lack of investment in hygiene and safety, underscoring the gravity of the offences.

The council's Commercial Team hopes this prosecution serves as a warning to other food businesses that fail to meet their legal obligations. Beyond safeguarding public health, these regulations are vital to maintaining a level playing field for all businesses in North Herts.