Meat seized from two African food shops in Norwich has been condemned after being deemed to be mislabelled. 

Concerns over food safety saw environmental health officers seize items during visits to Foodbycpc Ltd at Anglia Square and the Ibukun African Food Store on Witard Road.

Norwich City Council applied for the food, which included 26kg of meat, to be destroyed arguing it posed a risk to public health.

Eastern Daily Press: Some of the 26kg of meat seized from stores in Norwich which has been condemned by magistrates Some of the 26kg of meat seized from stores in Norwich which has been condemned by magistrates (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told it followed a long process of officers trying to engage with the two businesses. 

Mark Baker, senior environmental health officer, told the court: “We found numerous examples of foods that were unlabelled with no details of traceability. 

“Our concerns were imported foreign food that is under quality and can not be traced backwards in the commercial process. 

“If you have a food poisoning outbreak you cannot trace back to its origin.” 

Meat including oxtail, lamb, beef and unidentified red meat was seized when officers visited Foodbycpc on November 23 last year.

Eastern Daily Press: Foodbycpc at Anglia Square was visited by environmental health officersFoodbycpc at Anglia Square was visited by environmental health officers (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile an inspection of Ibukun African Food Store last month discovered unlabelled chicken gizzards, white fish, beef and cow foot pepper soup mix.

Magistrates approved food condemnation orders in both cases ordering the business owners to pay part of the cost of its removal and destruction. 

Matthew Fulton McAlister, cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “Our food safety officers work hard with city businesses to make sure they understand the need to trade with recognised suppliers who have traceable sources of food.

“This is because the city council ultimately has a responsibility to ensure food is safe to eat from the businesses we regularly inspect.

Eastern Daily Press: Matthew Fulton McAlister, Norwich City Council cabinet member for regulatory services (Image: Newsquest)Matthew Fulton McAlister, Norwich City Council cabinet member for regulatory services (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

“Norwich City Council will always take strong action to ensure that food safety in Norwich is of the highest standard.

“Results such as today’s court case wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our food safety team in particular for their work to ensure our restaurants, cafes and all manner of food businesses are safe places for people to visit and enjoy.”