A SOUTHAMPTON man was hauled before the courts for flouting food hygiene rules.

When trade standards officers swooped on Rams Stores in Derby Road they found 18 food items past their use-by date.

These included a mix of meat and dairy products.

Company director, Rajesh Mishra, appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court charged with the criminal offence of contravening food hygiene regulations - to which the 45-year-old of Woodmill Lane, pleaded guilty.

During a hearing on Friday, a council officer told how on November 13 last year a complaint was received by a consumer “that the defendant was selling food products that were past their use-by-date”.

Daily Echo: Rajesh MishraRajesh Mishra

The store was visited that same day and “18 meat and dairy items that were all past their use-by-dates" were found.

In an interview on December 4, 2020, the defendant admitted the products had been intended for sale, but he had been too busy to check the labels.

The court heard how Mishra had been handed a caution concerning an incident on May 20, 2019.

And how expired food had been on display at the premises on previous occasions.

Furthermore, he been provided advice about complying with the law - including a stock rotation system.

Defending, Lucie Taylor said: “What had happened in the days leading up to the date of the offence was that the festival of Diwali was going on."

During that time, all of the meat products were moved away from their usual location and replaced with sweets.

However, “unfortunately” during the move expired items became mixed up with products that were for sale.

Mishra has reportedly fired the staff in charge of stock rotation and received no further complaints since November last year.

Miss Taylor said her client “intends to close down the store and liquidate the company", SP Fppds Mart Limited.

She added: “He has no intention of carrying out work in the retail industry. He himself is nearly bankrupt.”

The chair of the magistrates' panel, Mr John Bolwell, deemed the offence serious.

Mishra was ordered to pay £1,450 - a mix of fines and costs.