Wembley food manufacturer hit with £150,000 fine for ignoring machine safety warnings

A North London food manufacturer has been hit with a £150,000 fine for repeatedly ignoring machine safety warnings.

Oriental Delight (UK) Limited, based in Wembley, pleaded guilty to three breaches of workplace equipment regulations at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

HSE inspectors found dangerous machinery with “defeated” safety devices and missing guards during an October 2023 visit. The company had already received warnings in 2016 and 2019.

(HSE)

HSE Inspector Marcus Pope said: "This case sends out a clear message to the food manufacturing industry that HSE will not hesitate to prosecute when inspectors find serious health and safety failings, particularly when previous enforcement and advice has been provided."

He added: "Once again we see how critical it is that all employers make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery."

The court ordered Oriental Delight to pay £3,020 in costs on top of the fine.