Carmello Gale, aged 71, from Llandysul in Wales, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to place unsafe food – namely smokie meat – on the market.
Gale has been granted bail by Isleworth Crown Court pending sentencing, which is set to take place in due course.
What are smokies?
‘Smokies’ generally refers to skin-on sheep meat produced by scorching the fleece off the unskinned carcass, resulting in a golden-brown colour and smoky smell.
Their production is illegal in the UK under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and the Criminal Law Act 1977. This means processes are carried out in unapproved premises that are unlikely to meet strict hygiene requirements for meat or food preparation.
NFCU praises collaborative investigation
“Carmello Gale is considered a significant figure in the illegal smokies trade, with the investigation uncovering his involvement in the wide-scale distribution of smokies across the UK,” Neil Castle, deputy head of the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) which led the investigation, commented.
“This guilty plea reflects the work of everyone involved in this investigation. I would like to thank our colleagues at Food Standards Scotland, Ceredigion County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, Southwark Council, Swansea Council, and Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit in South Wales for their support.”
“The NFCU will not stop in its efforts to identify, investigate and bring to justice those who seek to exploit our food system. If anyone has suspicions or concerns regarding smokies or food fraud, you can contact your local trading standards or discuss it with us confidentially on 0800 028 1180.”
