One of the largest importers of Spanish salads to the UK has been fined nearly £3,000 for trying to sell cucumbers and tomatoes not fit for human consumption.

Kent-based Fortuna Frutos received a £2,700 fine after admitting it had breached EC produce marketing standards. The case followed an inspection at Birmingham wholesale market in June last year by the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate.

In two consignments, inspectors found nearly a quarter of the tomatoes were rotting and had visible mould, while nearly 75% of the cucumbers suffered from wet rots.

Fortuna will also have to pay prosecution and investigation costs of £4,733.

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