Welsh court sentences seafood company owners for safety failures

The Swansea Crown Court in Wales has given two people suspended sentences for safety breaches at a seafood company in Monkton, Pembroke, Wales.

Colin James Brown and Donna Brown, who ran Shores Seafood, were sentenced for their roles in failing to protect food from the risk of contamination, placing unsafe food on the market, failing to comply with a Remedial Action Notice, and operating a business without approvals after their permission to supply seafood was suspended, Food Safety News reported. The business sold dressed crabs and lobster, and officials found the company produced foods contaminated with high levels of Listeria monocytogenes.

Colin Brown was sentenced to nine months in jail, suspended for two years, and 200 hours of unpaid work. Donna Brown was given six months in jail, also suspended for two years, and 15 days of rehabilitation activity. Both were also prohibited from managing any food businesses indefinitely.

According to a release from the Pembrokeshire County Council, officers attempted to help the company identify and stop sources of listeria and help with the implementation of food safety management plans, but ultimately Shores Seafood’s approvals were suspended in April 2021 over safety concerns. The council served the Remedial Action Notices after “it became clear” the business couldn’t implement safety measures.

Despite the suspension, the company continued to supply products to local premises in the area – forcing a product recall by the U.K. Food Standards Agency. 

Judge Geraint Walters, who presided over the case, called the details of the case “hugely unattractive” and said the “local authority was engaged in a cat-and-mouse operation with the business.”

Following the sentencing, Pembrokeshire County Councilor Michelle Bateman said it was “reassuring” to see sentences handed out for the breaches of safety.

“It is reassuring to see the Court has imposed significant sentences, including the prohibition on managing a food business in the future, on the two people who deliberately continued to run this business despite being subject to notices served by officers of the council to protect the safety of consumers,” she said. “The offenders had a flagrant disregard for the health of any person who ate their products, despite being aware of the history of contamination of their products with Listeria monocytogenes.”

The councilor added that it remains committed to ensuring food safety in the county.

“The Public Protection Department of Pembrokeshire County Council is determined to ensure that individuals who commit serious offences or display a blasé approach to complying with food safety and standards requirements are brought to justice,” Bateman said. “The department is also committed to ensuring compliance to protect the health of people eating products produced and sold by Pembrokeshire-based businesses.”  

Photo courtesy of the Pembrokeshire County Council