An elderly woman has been told off by council officials for selling her home-baked sausage rolls at a neighbourhood yard sale.
Jo Taylor, 73, was stunned when she received a letter from Norwich City Council warning her over food regulations after she dished out the popular snacks and pastries at the annual NR2 Yard Sale.
Despite not being the only person selling food at the event, she appears to be the only one targeted.
The letter, sent days after the July 19 sale, warned her that anyone handling or selling food may be classed as a ‘food business’ and must register with the local authority.
‘If you sell, cook, store, handle, prepare or distribute food, you may be considered a food business and will need to register with your local authority,’ the council wrote.
Posting in the yard sale’s Facebook group, Ms Taylor wrote: ‘Did anyone else receive one of these in the post?
‘Obviously, it had to do with the selling of foodstuffs at the NR2 Yard Sale. Does this mean food cannot be sold next time? Someone has a lot of time on their hands, is all I can say.’
The council advised the 73-year-old to register her ‘food business’, which would then be subject to a hygiene inspection
She usually sells pasties and jam for charity, but this year decided to keep the proceeds, making just £30.
She told the Norwich Evening News: ‘I was shocked at first and then slightly amused to think that someone really thought I had a business selling sausage rolls.
‘I just think they do not have anything better to do. Either that, or they are jealous of my sausage rolls.’
Fellow sellers were equally baffled. One wrote: ‘Absolutely ridiculous. Are they going to start handing out fines to lemonade stands and bake sales next?’
Organisers of the yard sale said they have now ‘clarified the position’ with the council.
She later phoned the council and was told no action would be taken, and there is no police file against her, though she was advised to make a formal complaint if she wanted to pursue it.
Norwich City Council and the NR2 Yard Sale organisers have been approached for comment.
