With the carcass of a dead dog and 25 pounds of marijuana in a freezer at Beyond Organics, inspectors from Fraser Health gave the Maple Ridge business a 㽶Ƶֱhigh㽶Ƶֱ hazard rating.
There were other violations from the May 29 inspection, as well, such the conversion of a backroom office into a bedroom, because food premises must be separate from living quarters, with no direct access.
There was a heavy fly infestation inside the premises on Dewdney Trunk Road, according to Fraser Health, and foods obtained from unapproved sources. The latter violation arose because labels were missing on many meat products in both the deli cooler and freezer display.
In the comments section of the Fraser Health inspection report, it was noted pets were not allowed inside the building in downtown Maple Ridge.
Fraser Health also received a complaint that dogs were staying in the living quarters, adjacent to the main food processing area.
Health inspectors also had RCMP attend, because of the large quantity of marijuana found.
There were two follow-up inspections, on June 6 and June 15.
On June 6, according to Fraser Health, the dead dog was still in the freezer, the back room was still a bedroom, and labels were missing on meat products.
Another hazard was recorded 㽶Ƶֱ proprietor Denis Prasad was spraying 㽶ƵֱRaid㽶Ƶֱ aerosol in the food processing area, in an attempt to beat back the 㽶Ƶֱheavy fly infestation.㽶Ƶֱ
It was noted that the premises was not open to the public.
On June 15, the inspection found the hazard rating low, dropping to a score of three, from a high of 68 on the previous one.
Anything over 30 is considered a high hazard rating.
A note on the Fraser Health report said Prasad should contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regarding labelling requirements for proper or accurate labelling.
The majority of food products were purchased from approved manufacturers and processors, according to Fraser Health, and repackaged at Beyond Organics for sale.
The processor named in the report was Arctic Meats. A representative from that Port Coquitlam-based business said it does not produce organic products.
Beyond Organics has a sign on its front door that it is closed for renovations. The storefront is missing a window, which has been covered by plywood, and has broken glass on the door.
Prasad said the last inspections by Fraser Health ruined his organics business.
The dead dog was stored with dog food only.
He had a pet food business for 15 years, which was separate from his organics business, and all the meat in that freezer was not intended for human consumption.
He said it was a customer㽶Ƶֱs pet, stored as a favour.
㽶ƵֱUntil he decided whether to cremate it, bury it 㽶Ƶֱ whatever. Sometimes when you have a pet, it㽶Ƶֱs hard to decide. You just can㽶Ƶֱt throw it out,㽶Ƶֱ said Prasad. 㽶ƵֱIt㽶Ƶֱs just like human being dying, you don㽶Ƶֱt leave it there in a chair, you㽶Ƶֱre going to take him to a morgue, to a freezer.㽶Ƶֱ
Prasad told the Fraser Health inspectors the freezer food was not for human consumption.
㽶ƵֱIt has zero human food.㽶Ƶֱ
He said the marijuana on site was 㽶Ƶֱleaves and branches,㽶Ƶֱ given to him by another business that wanted him to create 㽶Ƶֱmedicinal pet food.㽶Ƶֱ
㽶ƵֱI threw it in the freezer and I forgot about it,㽶Ƶֱ he said. 㽶ƵֱSo it was all liquid slush.㽶Ƶֱ
He said the Fraser Health inspector identified the weed from the smell.
㽶ƵֱI said it㽶Ƶֱs not pot, pot is the 㽶Ƶֱ bud,㽶Ƶֱ said Prasad. 㽶ƵֱHe calls 9-1-1, police, and we㽶Ƶֱve got six cop cars here.
㽶ƵֱTo this day, they haven㽶Ƶֱt charged me for nothing.㽶Ƶֱ
Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed they attended Beyond Organics on May 29, and no charges are stemming.
Prasad said he is now out of business and blamed health inspectors, adding he is considering a lawsuit.
㽶ƵֱI㽶Ƶֱm building a case on them,㽶Ƶֱ he said. 㽶ƵֱI㽶Ƶֱm not finished with them yet.㽶Ƶֱ
Meanwhile, a noxious smell is coming from the building and the city has received complaints.
㽶ƵֱThe city has received complaints about the property and the bylaws department has made contact with the property owner,㽶Ƶֱ said Robin MacNair, city bylaws manager. 㽶ƵֱWe understand that the property owner is moving quickly to resolve the issue.㽶Ƶֱ