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Food condemned in Earls Court

Posted by Emma Heseltine on May 27, 10 01:22 PM in News

Dried frogs, giant waterbugs and green ant eggs were all found to be on sale at a shop in Earls Court earlier this month.

West London Magistrates granted a food condemnation order on Monday May 24 against Art Muay in Hogarth Road, for importing food without having the proper paperwork.

This came after environmental health officers from Kensington and Chelsea Council visited the Thai supermarket on May 7 following a tip off, and seized dried frogs, giant waterbugs and green ant eggs from the shelves.

They also seized pork sausages which had clearly been made in unhygienic conditions and jelly sweets which contained the banned additive E407 (carrageenan) which poses a serious choking hazard, particularly to children.

Councillor Julie Mills, the council's cabinet member for environmental health, said: "It is very important that food imported into this country is traceable.

"Recent food and animal health scares like the huge foot and mouth disease outbreak highlight the importance of vigilance when it comes to making sure our food is supplied from reputable sources, has been properly inspected and not illegally imported.

"Our environmental health department will work with national agencies and take very firm action to ensure that all food on sale in the royal borough is safe and properly sourced."

At the hearing at West London Magistrates Court, a food condemnation order was granted in respect of all of the items seized.

The court also awarded the council's full costs which totalled ÃÂ£1,481.98, which covers the costs of the investigation and of the disposal of the food items.

About half of the food on sale in the UK is imported and this can often bypass official controls which make sure it is safe for people to eat.

The Chronicle contacted Art Muay, but they refused to comment.

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