Scandal of hideous meat packaging operation is uncovered by food-crime unit
A group of criminals have been caught red-handed in a shocking food fraud scandal following a successful investigation by Southwark council and the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU).
Following a 12-week trial, Anthony Fear and Fears Animal Products Limited were found guilty of conspiring to divert meat not fit for human consumption into the human food chain on Wednesday, March 26.
Mark Hooper and Azar Irshad pleaded guilty to the conspiracy, while Irshad and Ali Afzal entered guilty pleas to regulatory matters.
Between June and September 2020, the group diverted poultry and meat classified as animal by-product – unfit for human consumption – into the human food chain.
The case was heard at Inner London Crown Court, with sentencing details to follow in the coming weeks.
The investigation started in March 2020 after Southwark council’s Food Safety team received a report from the NFCU, a law enforcement division within the Food Standards Agency, regarding suspicious illegal food activity near East Street, Southwark.
Officers eventually gained access in September 2020, when an entry point to the suspected unit was identified. While inside, officers found a door obscured by stacked boxes, which led them to an illegal covert cutting shop where workers were found actively cutting, skinning, washing, and portioning tainted raw poultry ready for sales.
The premises was filthy, lacking hot water and proper hygiene facilities. Officers established that the premises was not registered for food preparation.
Officers uncovered 1.9 tonnes of Category 3 animal by-products, which included whole and cut chickens, lamb’s testicles, and beef burgers, all of which were improperly handled and stored at the unregistered premises in Laugan Walk.
These products, originally intended for disposal or pet food, were instead being fraudulently reintroduced into the human food supply chain.
The labels on the lamb’s testicles and beef burgers were traced to a company called Keepak while the labels found on the chicken was traced to a company called 2 Sisters Food Group or 2SFG.
Both companies have since confirmed that the meat or poultry found was categorised as category 3 animal by-product. Once food has been determined to be animal-by-product it cannot legally enter the human food chain making it not fit for human consumption.
The officers soon determined that the premises were controlled by Ali Afzal, Azal Irshad, and a third person called Arshad Akhtar. Mr Akhtar has since died.
Upon discovery of the cutting shop, Southwark council referred the case to the NFCU. The NFCU traced the supply of the animal by-products to Fears Animal Products Ltd, led by director Anthony Fear and manager Mark Hooper.
Trading standards officers seized evidence showing that Fears Animal Products Ltd had been contracted by both Kepak and 2SFG to collect animal by-products and transport them to Saria, a pet food producer.
Due to the scale of the operation and the health risks posed, all meat found at the premises was seized on-site and subsequently destroyed.
The complex case concluded with the court finding Fear, Fears Animal Products, Irshad, together with Hooper guilty of conspiring together to commit food fraud. Additionally, Ali Afzal, who rented the premises to Akhtar and Irshad, was convicted of breaching food hygiene and safety regulations.
Irshad, in particular, was found guilty of multiple violations, including disregarding food hygiene procedures and operating in filthy, unsafe conditions without a hot water supply. He was also convicted of selling unfit food, such as expired beef burgers and improperly processed sheep’s heads, known as ‘smokies.’
Councillor Natasha Ennin, cabinet member for community safety and neighbourhoods, said: “These violations highlight the blatant disregard for food safety laws that protect public health – all for profit. Consumers who unknowingly purchase and consume these products are exposed to potential health hazards.
“We will not tolerate such reckless and deceitful behaviour. Together with the NFCU, our officers worked relentlessly to uncover the truth and ensure those responsible are made to pay for their crimes. We hope sentencing reflects the gravity of the crimes committed.”
Andrew Quinn, head of the FSA’s NFCU said: “These five convictions have been secured following an extensive investigation led by the NFCU which required meticulous examination of large volumes of evidence.
“The NFCU worked closely with Southwark council and other partners to enable this successful prosecution. It is anticipated that the sentencing in due course will reflect the serious nature of this offending and will act as a deterrent to other bad actors in the food chain.”
Pictured top: Stomach-turning meat products that posed a health hazard (Picture: Southwark council)
