A west London food company has been fined after importing potentially contaminated spices from Pakistan without carrying out the necessary safety checks, raising concerns about public health risks.
Southall-based Al Noor Ltd failed to notify port authorities about a high-risk shipment of spices in May 2022, meaning the consignment was not subjected to mandatory safety inspections. The spices were suspected of containing aflatoxins, toxic substances known to cause liver cancer.
As a result of its negligence, the company has been ordered to pay a £9,424 fine, including a victim surcharge and legal costs. Meanwhile, the firm’s director, Ahmed Akhlaq, has been personally fined £3,285 for breaching food safety regulations.
Failure to follow mandatory checks
The case was heard at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, where it was revealed that Al Noor Ltd had imported a variety of ‘high-risk’ spice mixes from Pakistan without notifying authorities at the Port of Suffolk. Under UK food safety laws, such shipments must be registered upon arrival and tested for harmful contaminants before entering the market.
Aflatoxins, naturally occurring toxins produced by moulds found in agricultural crops, pose a serious health hazard. The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) warns that long-term exposure to these toxins can lead to liver damage, cancer, and other severe illnesses.
Despite legal obligations, Al Noor Ltd did not comply, allowing the untested shipment to leave the port and enter circulation. Officials later ruled that the spices should have been destroyed immediately after their unauthorised removal from the port.
Missing shipment and relabelled boxes
Ealing Council, responsible for enforcing food safety laws in the borough, launched an investigation into Al Noor Ltd’s activities. A compliance check in July 2022 revealed that more than half of the suspect shipment was missing and unaccounted for.
In a further probe, authorities found that some of the remaining boxes had been relabelled and repacked, raising concerns that potentially toxic products may have already been sold to consumers.
Although officials ordered the company to destroy the shipment within 60 days, Al Noor Ltd only complied eight days after the deadline had expired.
Council’s strong response
Following the court ruling, Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, issued a strong statement condemning the company’s actions.
“Obstructing food safety officers is a very serious offence and is not taken lightly by the council. The consequences for the business’ customers in this case could have been grave if council officers had not stepped in to enforce the law.
“We are pleased that the court’s fine reflects the gravity of the case. We will always seek the strongest possible punishments for companies which gamble with the public’s safety.”
The case highlights the critical importance of food safety regulations and the dangers posed by unscrupulous importers who fail to follow legal protocols.
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Aflatoxins: A hidden danger in food
Aflatoxins are a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly in spices, nuts, and grains that are improperly stored or exposed to high humidity. The UK enforces strict limits on aflatoxin levels in imported foods to protect consumers from exposure.
The FSA has warned that chronic consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxins can lead to liver cancer, immune system suppression, and growth impairment in children. Acute aflatoxin poisoning, though rare, can be fatal.
Due to their dangerous effects, shipments of spices from certain high-risk countries, including Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, are subject to mandatory testing before being cleared for sale in the UK.
Food safety must be a priority
The Al Noor Ltd case serves as a warning to businesses that fail to comply with safety standards. The authorities remain vigilant against food safety violations and have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting public health.
Consumers are advised to purchase spices from reputable sources and be cautious of unlabelled or repackaged products that lack clear origin details.
As Ealing Council’s enforcement action demonstrates, the UK will not tolerate food businesses that put profit before public safety.
