Rotten Deal: Unsafe Meat Scam Busted in UK
Four men and a company were convicted for illegally selling meat meant for pet food or disposal back into the human food supply.
A shocking case involving the illegal sale of unsafe meat has come to light in England. Four men and a company have been found guilty of diverting meat that was not fit for people to eat back into the food supply. This kind of meat is supposed to be destroyed or used for pet food, not sold to consumers.
The investigation, called Operation Bantam, started in 2020. It was led by the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) and Southwark Council.
Who Was Involved?
Three of the men — Mark Hooper, Azar Irshad, and Ali Afzal — admitted to their roles in the crime. The fourth man, Anthony Fear, along with his company, Fears Animal Byproducts, denied the charges but were found guilty after an 11-week trial at Inner London Crown Court.
Mark Hooper was a manager at Fears Animal Byproducts. He admitted to helping put unsafe meat on the market.
Azar Irshad admitted to multiple offenses, including selling out-of-date meat like smokies and beef burgers, and operating in places that weren’t approved for food processing.
Ali Afzal also admitted to working in an unapproved site, breaking hygiene and safety rules.
Anthony Fear and his business were convicted of fraud for allowing this unfit meat to end up in the human food chain.
What Did They Do?
Between June and September 2020, the group collected animal by-products — such as whole chickens, lamb testicles, and beef burgers — from proper food businesses. These items had been marked as “Category 3,” meaning they were not safe for human consumption. The meat was meant to be used for pet food or destroyed.
Instead, the group took the meat to an illegal cutting facility in London, where it was cleaned, cut, and prepared to be sold as food for people. Officers who discovered the site found a hidden entrance blocked by boxes. Inside, they found dirty conditions, no hot water, and workers handling raw meat.
Where Did the Meat Come From?
Investigators traced the products back to known food suppliers, including 2 Sisters Food Group and Kepak. Both companies said the meat had been correctly categorized as waste and sent to Fears Animal Byproducts for disposal or use in pet food production.
But instead, the group reintroduced the meat into the food chain, putting consumers at risk.
What Happens Next?
The court is expected to sentence the convicted individuals and company at the end of April. Authorities hope this sends a clear message: tampering with food safety laws will not be tolerated.
Andrew Quinn, head of the NFCU, said the investigation took years and involved examining huge amounts of data. He expects the court to take the crimes seriously.
Natasha Ennin from Southwark Council added, “This was a serious breach of trust and public safety. We’ll keep fighting to stop these kinds of crimes, no matter how long it takes.”
Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/04/men-convicted-in-unfit-meat-diversion-case/