Four individuals and a business were found guilty of placing unfit meat on the market following an investigation by the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) and Southwark Council.
Mark Hooper, Azar Irshad and Ali Afzal entered guilty pleas for their involvement in serious food crimes. Anthony Fear, director of Fears Animal Bypoducts, entered not guilty pleas for himself and on behalf of his business and elected to stand trial.
The court heard evidence of a complex investigation that started when Southwark officers found 1.9 tonnes of Category 3 animal by products, which included whole and cut chickens, lamb’s testicles and beef burgers, in an illegal meat cutting plant in London and being processed for sale into the human food chain.
NFCU, a law enforcement function of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), traced the animal byproducts back to legitimate food business operators who confirmed these meat products had been sent to Fears Animal Byproducts in Somerset for manufacture into pet foods or for safe disposal.
The trial lasted more than 11 weeks, and Fear and his business were found unanimously guilty of the offence of conspiracy to defraud by placing unfit food on the market.
At earlier hearings on 13th January 2025:
- Mark Hooper, a manager at Fears Animal Byproducts, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud by placing unfit food on the market.
- Azar Irshad pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud, failure to comply with Regulation 19 Food Safety & Hygiene Regulations relating to Unapproved Premises, Placing Unfit Food on the Market (Smokies), Placing Unfit Food on the Market (Out of Date Beef Burgers) and Placing Unfit Food on the Market (Illegally Diverted ABP Cat 3)
- Ali Afzal pleaded guilty to failure to comply with Reg 19 Food Safety & Hygiene Regulations relating to Unapproved Premises.
Andrew Quinn, head of NFCU, said: “These five convictions have been secured following an extensive investigation led by the NFCU that 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 in due course the sentencing will reflect the serious nature of this offending and will act as a deterrent to other bad actors in the food chain.”
Councillor Natasha Ennin, cabinet member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods at Southwark Council, commented: “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 and no matter how long it takes; we will use all our available powers to bring criminals to justice.
“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.”
