A United Kingdom-based Ghanaian chef, Stephen Akuoko, has been sentenced to two-year imprisonment after he was convicted of storing food for public consumption inside a bathroom tub. 

Mr Akuoko was exposed in October 2024 when firefighters were responding to a fire incident at his residence and met with the ‘disgusting’ conditions in which the now convict stored a large quantity of fish meant for sale. 

Reports noted that the firefighters found a large number of mackerel preserved by Mr Akuoko in unsanitary spots, including a bathtub and on a bathroom floor next to a toilet inside his home, prompting further investigation by environmental health officials.

Following the discovery, Mr Akuoko, who operated a ready meal business under the name Tribal Foods in Watford, was served with a remedial action. But products from the company were again discovered in local shops, which resulted in legal proceedings against him. 

The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of food safety offences during his arraignment at the St Albans Magistrates Court on February 11, 2026 and was sentenced to two consecutive 12-month custodial terms and suspended for two years last week.

Additionally, a five-year ban from working in the food service was imposed on Mr Akuoko as well as £2,500 payment for council investigation. 

During his sentencing, the trial Judge Francis Sheridan said the food sold by Mr Akuoko was unsafe for human consumption.

He stated the Ghanaian national would have been prosecuted for manslaughter if someone had died from consuming his product. 

“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,” Mr Sheridan stated. 

The case has sparked reactions on social media with many expressing disgust over the development and highlighted the demerits of eating meals prepared by strangers. 

“This is really disgusting. Like really, I would be vomiting if I had eaten from this. It’s wicked. For over three years too? Serious punishment should have been imposed,” Instagram @delly_x_ said. 

In his submission, @swizzlesysysy2 said it’s not ideal to eat everywhere, commenting “This is why my parents told me from when I was a child. It’s not everyone and where you go, you must eat from people.”

Another commenter with the handle @funkmasta_ stated “Ayooo this is wild.. reminds me of when I went to a house party with my mum when I was younger where the host put all the drinks in a bathtub filled with ice. My mum had to pinch my lips that day.”

Also, a commenter, @shanaian.duchess, said she had been thinking of avoiding ready-made food, stating “Everyday I’m convinced to stop eating outside, this is disgusting! I really want to know which restaurant it is.”