In a case that has raised eyebrows and highlighted the dangers of illegal food practices, a businessman narrowly escaped a prison sentence despite his dubious methods of food storage and sales. Stephen Akuoko, aged 62, was discovered storing fish in his bathroom, an unsanitary setting right next to the toilet, which he later used in ready meals distributed to supermarkets under the brand name Tribal Foods.

Akuoko’s operation, based in Watford, had been flying under the radar for more than three years. The ready meals he sold were flagged for having overly extended use-by dates and a worrying lack of ingredient transparency. The local borough council’s environmental health team had already set its sights on Akuoko’s business due to these concerns, but he managed to remain out of reach until an unexpected incident brought him to their doorstep.

The breakthrough came in October 2024 when a fire, caused by a wok, broke out at Akuoko’s residence on Haines Way. When firefighters arrived to tackle the blaze, they stumbled upon a rather shocking sight: vast quantities of fish stored in the bathroom’s bathtub and on the floor, right by the toilet.

This discovery triggered a full-blown investigation by Trading Standards. When confronted by environmental health officials, Akuoko assured them he would cease operations and stop selling products under the Tribal Foods label.

Despite his promises, Akuoko’s illicit activities continued. Just weeks after the fire, unlabelled Tribal Foods products were found in a local shop. CCTV footage revealed that Akuoko had made three separate deliveries to the store, defying the orders and continuing his risky business practices.

However, weeks after the fire, his unlabelled products were found in a local shop with CCTV footage showing he had made three deliveries to the store.    

Akuoko later pleaded guilty to two food safety offences, as the judge blasted him for the meals that were ‘unfit for human consumption’. 

At St Albans Crown Court last Thursday, he received a two-year suspended prison sentence and a five-year ban from operating any food business.

Stephen Akuoko, 62, had been operating in Watford under the name Tribal Foods for over three years, selling products that had inappropriately long use-by dates and a lack of detail on ingredients. Pictured: The huge quantities of fish in the bath

Firefighters were called to Akuoko’s flat following a wok fire, and also discocered fish on floor of the bathroom next to the toilet (pictured)

At St Albans Crown Court last Thursday, Akuoko received a two-year suspended prison sentence and a five-year ban from operating any food business

Prosecutor Michael Coley said the environmental health team began investigating Tribal Foods after finding ready meals in local shops.

The product was judged to have inappropriately long use-by dates and a lack of detail on ingredients.

Mr Coley said the business was difficult to track down, and when officers did eventually manage to speak to Akuoko over the phone, he became aggressive, accusing them of harassment.

After the fire at his home, Akuoko claimed all the food in the property was for him and his family, Mr Coley said.

Remedial action was served, and the Akuoko assured officers they would not see Tribal Foods products in Watford again, but weeks later, they found his unlabelled products in a local shop.

They checked CCTV footage and found he had made three deliveries to one shop in a matter of weeks.

‘This was an intentional breach and a flagrant disregard for the law,’ Mr Coley said.

Akuoko later pleaded guilty to contravening food safety and hygiene regulations and failing to comply with a remedial action notice.

In mitigation, Aleister Adamson said his client had owned a supermarket for many years until the property’s lease expired.

He then lost an expensive legal fight and became homeless until he was given social housing.

Akuoko then set up Tribal Foods, which he initially operated from a rented kitchen space before he started cooking from home.

‘He was not in receipt of any benefits at that time and was relying on the business, which was not profitable at any stage, to support his basic living needs,’ Mr Adamson said.

Akuoko pleaded guilty to two food safety offences, as the judge blasted him for the meals that were ‘unfit for human consumption’. Pictured: Fish used for Akiuko’s ready meals stored in the bath

Pictured: Akuoko’s kitchen that was used to prepare the illegal ready meals sold to stores across Watford

Judge Francis Sheridan said: ‘Your little business got bigger than you could handle and you resorted to frankly disgusting techniques – fish on the floor of the bathroom, fish in the bathtub, and then you cooked them up and sold them.

‘How you would even think about serving food kept like that to even your own family beggars belief.

‘You were preparing food for supply to outlets, supermarkets and corner stores, and the food was frankly unfit for human consumption.

‘You might be a good cook of oriental foods in your own home, but you should keep that within your own home.

‘You must realise that food poisoning can have very serious consequences, even death, and if that had happened you would be facing manslaughter charges.’  

Judge Sheridan praised the ‘dogged’ efforts of the environmental health team who he said had performed a public service.

Justine Hoy, Associate Director Housing and Wellbeing for Watford Borough Council, said: ‘Food safety laws exist to protect the public. 

‘In this case, there was a clear and sustained failure to comply with legal requirements, despite formal enforcement action being taken.

‘We will not hesitate to take action where businesses or individuals put public health at risk. 

‘This successful prosecution demonstrates our commitment to maintaining high food safety standards across Watford.’