A GRAYS-based businesswoman with a high-profile role in the local community has been damned by a Crown Court verdict, hit by a huge fine and barred from ever running a food business again.

Georgina Bonsu, who was the driving force behind Mama G's Afro Caribbean Food Store on the Broadway in Little Thurrock has been shamed by a litany of charges and punitive action at Basildon Crown Court,

Her business has been fined for 18 separate food hygiene and six trading standards offences following guilty pleas. In addition to financial penalties, the court imposed a Prohibition Order on her partner Fredrick Boateng and Bonsu, permanently banning them from participating in the management of any food business.

Bonsu has been involved in a number of high-profile events in Thurrock and has been heavily involved in promoting concerts and performance at Grays Town park. In addition she has served on Thurrock Council committees scrutinising health and well-being. She is currently a co-opted member of the council's adult-social health overview and scrutiny committee.

She also runs U-Turnships, a social enterprise supporting young people.

In 2023 she was nominated and commended for an award in an event jointly organised by Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions and the charity RAFFA (which supports the delivery of social action projects that are carried out by individuals or groups of people working together for the good of others and not for profit).

Her nomination said: "Georgina is spearheading innovative work with marginalised young people and is driving diversity and inclusivity in the community of Thurrock.

"She organised the first Afro Food Festival which took place this year with more than 1,000 attendees in Grays Town Park which was an incredible success."

The court heard that Mama G's Limited had repeatedly failed to improve food hygiene standards, remained in breach of a hygiene improvement notice issued by the council following complaints about food standards and hygiene and then obstructed council officers who were investigating by failing to provide required information relating to food suppliers.

Mama G's on the Broadway.

The investigation revealed multiple serious breaches of food hygiene and trading standards legislation.

Inspectors found that the premises and equipment were in an unclean condition and in a state of disrepair. There was no hand-wash basin in the kitchen and food was being prepared in the lobby leading to the toilet, creating a clear risk of contamination.

The business had also failed to comply with a previously issued hygiene improvement notice requiring the implementation and documentation of a food safety management system.

During inspections, officers identified evidence that food was being cooled too slowly, resulting in items having to be disposed of to protect public health.

In addition, the business obstructed legally authorised officers who were working to keep customers safe by failing to provide information relating to the restaurant's food suppliers.

Additionally, the company was in breach of four improvement notices that had already been issued by Trading Standards Officers in relation to food labelling, and were found to be selling banned cosmetics, namely skin lightening creams containing hydroquinone, despite having been previously advised to remove them from sale.

An initial inspection in November 2023 resulted in the business being rated '0 – Urgent Improvement Necessary' under the Food Standards Agency's national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Despite repeated advice and intervention from the local authority, the business has remained non-compliant and continues to hold a rating of 0.

The Court found that the food business operators demonstrated a blatant disregard for food safety laws, culminating in the prohibition of both Boateng and Bonsu from managing any food business in the future. Both pleaded guilty to the numerous charges.

Following the guilty pleas Boateng, Bonsu and Mama G's Limited were ordered to pay a total of £12,100 which included fines, costs and statutory surcharges. Additionally, Boateng is now subject to a 12-month community order and required to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work.

Cllr Lynda Heath, portfolio holder for public protection at Thurrock Council, said: "Food safety is not optional — it is a legal obligation owed to every single customer, without exception.

"As a council, we expect all traders in our borough to operate within the law and manage their premises well. We will not hesitate to step in and enforce the law on behalf of residents and customers if we receive complaints.

"This case demonstrates that businesses who ignore food hygiene and trading standards laws and put public health at risk will face serious consequences. The council will continue to take robust action against those who fail to maintain the standards required to keep our residents safe."

Breakdown of Fines and Costs

Mama G's Limited:

• £5,000 fine
• £1,000 costs
• £2,000 victim surcharge

 Frederick Boateng:

• Community order 12 months
• 80 hours unpaid work
• £1,000 costs

 Georgina Bonsu:

• £1,500 fine
• £1,000 costs
• £600 victim surcharge