A company in England has been fined for selling counterfeit Wonka chocolate bars with incorrect labeling and undeclared nut allergens.
Mayank Soneji, director of SP Wholesale Limited, appeared at Luton Crown Court in September. After pleading guilty to food safety and trademark infringements, Soneji was fined £5,265 ($6,940), while the company was fined £5,824 ($7,680).
In March 2022, an Environmental Health Officer from Luton Council visited the SP Wholesale distributor to inspect the hygiene standards of the premises. During the inspection, the officer observed staff removing the outer packaging of cheap, imported chocolate bars and replacing them with Wonka Bar labels.
Conditions in the warehouses were unsanitary, with mice and pigeons in the unit and an unclean environment. Paperwork found at the premises showed these fake Wonka bars were being supplied to stores across the UK.
It was later discovered that chocolate contained allergens, such as peanuts and almonds, that were not listed on the packaging. As a result, the company had to issue a nationwide recall. The label also had a false address and the company did not get permission from the trademark holder to use the Wonka Bar packaging.
Gerard McCleave, business director for the Inclusive Economy, said: “It is crucial that food labeling lists all ingredients as these can pose a health risk to anyone suffering from a related food allergy. Soneji has shown complete disregard for the safety of his customers in his actions.”
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has previously warned people not to buy or eat various types of counterfeit chocolate bars, including those with Wonka and Prime labels.
In August 2023, a sweet shop owner was prosecuted by Powys County Council for selling Wonka branded chocolate bars without the correct format for allergen information.
Sudan dyes in palm oil
In another incident, an African food import and distribution company, its director and manager were told to pay more than £13,000 ($17,100) each for the distribution of contaminated palm oil.
In September, Colchester Magistrates’ Court ordered MacPhilips Foods, formerly based in Purfleet-on-Thames, to pay £6,000 ($7,900) in fines, a £2,000 ($2,600) victim surcharge and £5,000 ($6,600) in costs. The company left Thurrock pleading guilty to six charges under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, including failing to recall tainted oil containing illegal Sudan colourants.
Company manager Andrew Ekechukwu and director Alexander Okoli both pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay £600 ($791) in fines and a £240 ($316) victim surcharge.
Thurrock Council trading standards officers received information in April 2023 that a brand of palm oil sold by MacPhilips Foods contained Sudanese colourants. The industrial dyes are not allowed for human consumption due to possible health risks.
Despite repeated requests for product information, no details were provided, and the company took five months to send accurate information so that the unsafe oil could be recalled. At the time, trading standards officers visited local retailers and found contaminated oil at two locations. The Thurrock-based stores confirmed they had not been notified of a recall.
Victoria Holloway, Cabinet Member for Place and Environment, said: “Thanks to the efforts of our trading standards team, the contaminated oil has been removed from the market, despite delays caused by the company’s poor administration.”
Unknown animal head
In another case, the operator of a Hayes food store was ordered to pay more than £3,700 ($4,900) after Hillingdon Council officers found the head of an unidentifiable animal in a freezer.
Jean Bitulu appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in September where he admitted failing to ensure the traceability of food products in accordance with food safety and hygiene regulations.
The court was told that an environmental health officer and a food safety officer from Hillingdon Council carried out an unannounced food hygiene and safety inspection at John Foods in July 2023.
Officers found dried black smoked fish with mold in a chest freezer, frozen larvae and insects, and the head of an unknown animal – later identified as an African bush pig, a product not allowed in Britain.
There were no receipts or invoices relating to the food, and when asked where the items came from, Bitulu said there was no documentation because a lady had walked into the store with the products and asked how much he wanted to buy.
The court heard frozen fish was found with no label indicating what it was or where it came from. Products were withdrawn from sale because they did not meet traceability requirements and could not be sold to the public for consumption.
Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “This is a shocking example of a local business ignoring the rules put in place to keep everyone safe. Buying shares of unknown origin from the suitcase of a passer-by is far from safe or sensible for a food company.”
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