Business owner, plant operator convicted of obstructing Ministry inspectors
TORONTO — Two separate cases involving obstruction of inspectors were heard at Ontario courts. In both cases the defendants where found guilty and charged.
On January 8, 2025, Leszek Rzeznik was convicted of two counts of obstructing an inspector who is exercising powers under section 24 of the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001, contrary to subsection 15 (5) of the same Act. The offences occurred October 4, 2023 and January 10, 2024.
The penalty imposed is a $3,000 fine per count, plus a victim fine surcharge, totalling $7,500
Background: On October 4, 2023 and January 10, 2024, Compliance and Advisory Officers with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (then the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) attended Klops Meat and Deli for the purpose of verifying compliance. On both occasions, the owner/operator, Leszek Rzeznik, refused the inspectors entry to complete an inspection.
Subsequently, investigators in the Ministry’s Regulatory Compliance Unit initiated an investigation that resulted in Rzeznik being charged with two counts of obstructing an inspector under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001.
On January 8, 2025, after a trial in absentia, Rzeznik was convicted on both counts by Justice of the Peace Michael Cuthbertson. Rzeznik was fined $3,000 for each count, plus a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, which totalled $7,500.
An appointed inspector may inspect premises in accordance with the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 to determine whether a person is carrying on a regulated activity.
On March 14, 2025, Andrei Berliaev was found guilty on charges of obstructing an inspector contrary to the Food, Safety and Quality Act, 2001.
The offence occurred on September 25, 2024. On March 14, 2025, Berliaev pled guilty before Justice of the Peace Shelagh Scanga and was fined $1,000 (plus victim fine surcharge) in Toronto Provincial Offences Court.
Background: On September 25, 2024, an inspector from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness appointed under the Food Safety Quality Act, 2001 attended Ve & Be Corporation at 793 Alness Street to conduct an unannounced inspection. As a free-standing, licenced meat plant, the business is subject to inspection by ministry inspectors.
When the inspector arrived, the plant operator, Andrei Berliaev, behaved in an aggressive manner and prevented the inspector from conducting the inspection. The inspector then left the plant and withdrew the inspection.
Following an investigation, Berliaev was charged with one count of obstructing an inspector under the Food Safety Quality Act, 2001.
