Gradegold Catering Limited, based on Kelvin Industrial Estate in Long Drive, Greenford, supplies ready-to-eat fruit and vegetables to trade customers, including airline caterers.
Ealing Council’s food safety team discovered the failings during an unannounced inspection.
The company pleaded guilty to two charges.
These were failing to implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) procedures and using misleading labelling.
Ealing Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday, December 5, 2025 that some foods were being mislabelled with incorrect ‘use by’ and packing dates.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Protecting the health and safety of the public is a top priority for us, and in this case there could have been implications far beyond the borders of our borough.
“We will always take strong action against businesses that ignore the rules and put people at risk.
“Our food safety team works hard to make sure that resident can trust the food they eat.”
The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay more than £7,700 in costs, along with a £2,000 victim surcharge.
During the inspection in October 2024, officers found items including lettuce, grapes, melon and mango labelled as if they had been packed the following day.
Some products were also found with unlawfully extended ‘use by’ dates.
Shelf life controls for ready-to-eat foods are essential to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes, which can pose significant health risks.
The company voluntarily disposed of all mislabelled food at the time of the inspection.
A follow-up visit confirmed that correct labelling had been implemented.
The court heard that the offences appeared to result from a deliberate breach of the law.
The business also had a history of poor food safety practices and previous non-compliance.
