Takeaway fined over using wrong meat in curry

A BARNSLEY takeaway has been fined over £4,000 for using cheaper beef meat in a lamb curry.

At a hearing last Thursday (July 14) Barnsley Magistrates heard that in November last year, a Trading Standards Officer visited Eastern Spices Restaurant, High Street, Goldthorpe, and purchased a lamb bhuna.

Analysis showed that the meal consisted entirely of beef meat.

Hobibur Rahman (58) was charged under food safety legislation with misleading customers by providing meat which was not of the type demanded.

Mr Rahman pleaded guilty to the charges, and was fined £2,800, plus £1,436 costs and a £120 victim surcharge; a total of £4356.

In sentencing, the Magistrate said that the fine reflected the seriousness of the offence.

Coun Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place, said: “We need to rely on descriptions that food business operators apply to their food. This is critically important when it comes to types of meat as so many people choose to avoid certain meats.

"Substitution of beef for lamb in takeaway meals is a widespread food fraud which we are committed to eliminate. It simply isn’t fair on either consumers or businesses trading honestly.”