A FOOD manufacturing boss who “compromised the safety of the public” has been fined.

Blackburn-based Azalea Foods Ltd had its premises closed and the company’s products were recalled from all parts of the UK for several food hygiene breaches, a court heard.

The company and its owner, Mustaq Mohammed, of Beardwood Park, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to register their manufacturing premises in Glenfield Business Park, Blakewater Road, for the production of Indian foods, such as samosas and rolls.

They also admitted having unhygienic crates at the industrial unit and not having any hot and cold running water on the premises.

Fining Mohammed and his company a total of £2,075, District Judge Jeff Brailsford said: “I find it difficult to accept that the failure to register the premises for food manufacture was, as I have been told, an oversight.

“The owner is a man with plenty of experience in this area and must have registered before.

“I do accept the crates were stained with spices rather than dirty but they do appear to be past their sell-by date.

“However, the lack of hot and cold running water could well have compromised the safety of the public and has a potential harm to the company’s customers.”

Jack Henriques, prosecuting for Blackburn and Darwen Council, said the premises were shut down under emergency prohibition orders in January last year.

The firm employed four people and has since reopened after complying with regulations.

Mr Henriques said: “The issue with water is the most serious and posed a high risk to public health.”

Damien Pickup, defending, said: “My client was rather lackadaisical when it came to registering the premises. It was an oversight.

“He did have some hot water but he had to bring it it from the toilets of a neighbouring premises.

“When the premises was closed and products recalled, it affected his business badly and he is now making a loss.”

Among the items recalled were chicken rolls, vegetable rolls, chicken samosas and vegetable samosas.

Azalea Food Ltd was fined £300 for failing to register a food business, £450 for the dirty food crates and £750 for the lack of hot and cold water.

Mohammed was fined £100 for failing to register a food business, £200 for the dirty food crates and £200 for the lack of hot and cold water. He must also pay a £75 victim surcharge.