Luton food firm shows "complete disregard" for customer safety over fake Wonka bars
The Director of SP Wholesale Limited pleaded guilty to food safety offences.
A food firm in Luton has shown a "complete disregard" for their customers safety over the sale of fake Wonka bars, the council has said.
Mayank Soneji, director of SP Wholesale Limited, sold fake Wonka chocolate bars with incorrect labelling and undeclared nut allergens.
He appeared at Luton Crown Court on earlier this month, where he pleaded guilty to food safety and trademark offences.
Mr Soneji's been fined £5,265, while his company was fined a further £5,824.
In March 2022, a Luton Council Environmental Health Officer visited the distributor's premises on Leagrave Road, to inspect the premises' hygiene standards.
During the inspection, they saw staff removing the outer wrappers from cheap, imported chocolate bars and replacing them with Wonka Bar wrappers.
The warehouse conditions were unhygienic, with mice and pigeons found in the unit.
Paperwork found at the premises revealed that these fake Wonka Bars were being supplied to shops across the UK.
Following the inspection, it was discovered that the chocolate contained allergens such as peanuts and almonds, which were not listed on the packaging.
As a result, the business had to carry out a nationwide product recall.
The company also failed to obtain permission from the trademark holder to use the Wonka Bar wrappers.
Gerard McCleave, Corporate Director for Inclusive Economy, said: "It’s vitally important that food labelling includes all ingredients, as they can pose a health risk to anyone who suffers from a related food allergy.
"Mr Soneji has shown a complete disregard for the safety of his customers in his actions.
"The work of Luton Food Safety and Trading Standards is vital to safeguard the health and economic well-being of our residents and this sentencing sends out a message to all food businesses that selling counterfeit goods will not be tolerated."