BOSSES of a mini market run by a Kidderminster company have been ordered to pay more than £30,000 after environmental health inspectors discovered they were selling food past its use by date.

Officers from Dudley Council first visited Singh Newsmarket in Lye High Street, near Stourbridge, at the end of August 2020.

They had received reports the business, operated by Kidderminster-based Newsmarket (Midlands) Ltd, was selling food past its use-by date at a reduced rate to the Romanian community in the town.

No evidence was found to substantiate the claims but warning letters were issued and environmental officers visited the shop several times over a six-month period as complaints continued to come in.

On a visit in March last year, officers discovered a basket near the counte filled with food including ham, cheese, chicken, and yogurt – with 25 of the items past their use by date.

The earliest use by date in the basket was February 8 – on display 28 days after the date had expired, the court was told.

Officers were satisfied the food items were within reach of customers and were not marked to indicate they were not for sale, and charges were brought against the company.

Naginder Singh, director and company secretary, attended Dudley Magistrates Court on April 6 and entered guilty pleas to 10 offences of selling unsafe food.

The company was fined £27,000, and ordered to pay court costs of £1,982.70 and a £1,800 victim surcharge. Bosses have been given 28 days to pay or face possible further punishment.

Kevin O’Keefe, Dudley Council’s chief executive, welcomed the verdict and hefty financial penalty and said: “It is important that we take action to help keep residents safe, and it will also act hopefully as a deterrent to other businesses thinking of doing the same."