Mama G’s Afro Caribbean Food Store, based in Grays, has been fined for 18 separate food hygiene and six trading standards offences following guilty pleas entered at Basildon Crown Court. In addition to financial penalties, the Court imposed a Prohibition Order on Mr. Fredrick Boateng and Ms. Georgina Bonsu, permanently banning them from participating in the management of any food business.
The Court heard that Mama G’s Limited had repeatedly failed to improve food hygiene standards, remained in breach of a hygiene improvement notice issued by the council following complaints about food standards and hygiene and then obstructed council officers who were investigating by failing to provide required information relating to food suppliers.
The investigation revealed multiple serious breaches of food hygiene and trading standards legislation. Inspectors found that the premises and equipment were in an unclean condition and in a state of disrepair. There was no hand-wash basin in the kitchen and food was being prepared in the lobby leading to the toilet, creating a clear risk of contamination. The business had also failed to comply with a previously issued hygiene improvement notice requiring the implementation and documentation of a food safety management system.
During inspections, officers identified evidence that food was being cooled too slowly, resulting in items having to be disposed of to protect public health. In addition, the business obstructed legally authorised officers who were working to keep customers safe by failing to provide information relating to the restaurant’s food suppliers. Additionally, the company was in breach of four improvement notices that had already been issued by Trading Standards Officers in relation to food labelling, and were found to be selling banned cosmetics, namely skin lightening creams containing hydroquinone, despite having been previously advised to remove them from sale.
An initial inspection in November 2023 resulted in the business being rated ‘0 – Urgent Improvement Necessary’ under the Food Standards Agency’s national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Despite repeated advice and intervention from the local authority, the business has remained non-compliant and continues to hold a rating of 0.
The Court found that the food business operators demonstrated a blatant disregard for food safety laws, culminating in the prohibition of both Mr. Boateng and Ms. Bonsu from managing any food business in the future. Both pleaded guilty to the numerous charges.
Following the guilty pleas Fredrick Boateng, Georgina Bonsu and Mama G’s Limited were ordered to pay a total of £12,100 which included fines, costs and statutory surcharges. Additionally, Mr Fredrick Boateng is now subject to a 12-month community order and required to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work.
Councillor Lynda Heath, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection at Thurrock Council, said: “Food safety is not optional — it is a legal obligation owed to every single customer, without exception.
“As a council, we expect all traders in our borough to operate within the law and manage their premises well. We will not hesitate to step in and enforce the law on behalf of residents and customers if we receive complaints.
“This case demonstrates that businesses who ignore food hygiene and trading standards laws and put public health at risk will face serious consequences. The council will continue to take robust action against those who fail to maintain the standards required to keep our residents safe.”
Breakdown of Fines and Costs
Mama G’s Limited:
- £5,000 fine
- £1,000 costs
- £2,000 victim surcharge
Frederick Boateng:
- Community order 12 months
- 80 hours unpaid work
- £1,000 costs
Georgina Bonsu:
- £1,500 fine
- £1,000 costs
- £600 victim surcharge