Swindon BBW business Romeat charged with hygiene offences

Ionut Adrian Apetroaie, who ran the business ‘Romeat’ from his home in Marigold Close, appeared in Swindon Magistrate's Court on Monday, November 18 for multiple offences relating to poor food hygiene.

The 44-year-old, who skins and butchers wild boar in his back garden, had his home raided by Wiltshire Police's Rural Crime Team in 2023, and between 200 to 300kg of meat and other food was seized.

Carcasses had been hung from a pull-up bar in the garden, and meat cooking tools were stored in the garage next to DIY tools.

The court heard how Mr Apetroaie had failed to register his business with Swindon Borough Council, had no food safety management system in place, and failed to protect food from contamination.

Waste and animal by-products had been put into the regular domestic black bin and officers found that some foods had been out of temperature control since the early hours of the morning, with no fridge space to store them.

The businessman was also found to not have the appropriate controls to keep food safe, didn't display allergen information and did not have appropriate labels on the food he was selling to make it traceable.

The business was running under illegal practices. (Image: Swindon Borough Council) “This individual put people’s health at risk by selling food without any traceability and the appropriate allergen information," said Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships.

“This case was made even more serious because he failed to register his business with the council.

"This requirement is in place so we can advise business owners of the safety procedures and practices they need to follow in order to protect members of the public."

District Judge Joanna Dickens heard how Mr Apetroaie, who advertised his catering business as a barbeque for event hire, would visit Smithfield Market and Billingsgate Market in London to collect food for himself, family and members of the community who made orders for food to him via WhatsApp or social media.

Mr Apetroaie claims he thought he was doing all he needed to by getting food hygiene training and insurance.

The Swindon businessman has now been fined £1,300 and ordered he pay £3,000 costs as well as a victim surcharge of £520.

It is not the first time Mr Apetroaie has fallen foul of hygiene rules.
Last year he was found to have prepared and stored deer, pheasants, rabbits, and wild boar at the same home while also hanging their carcasses from a pull-up bar, while operating as Romeat.
Numerous other hygiene offences were committed and an Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served to prevent the business operating.
Magistrates also granted an application to extend the closure of the defendant’s business in order to prevent further food preparation taking place there.
It was said at the time this closure would be in place until Environmental Health experts are satisfied that there is no longer a risk to health.
The businessman had to pay the council’s legal costs of £3,854.50, which includes £626.50 relating to the seizure and destruction of the food.