A TAKEAWAY has been fined more than £4000 after a curry was found to contain substitute meat in it.
Mahmood Khan, of Moorlands Avenue, Dewsbury, who is the food operator for Umars on Laithes Lane, Athersley, was charged under food safety legislation with misleading customers by providing different meat to the type demanded.
On April 25 last year, following a complaint, a member of the Barnsley Council’s Trading Standards team visited Umars and purchased two lamb kormas.
The curries were sent away for analysis and were found to contain entirely beef.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined £2,500 plus £1,650 costs and a £170 victim surcharge, a total of £4,320.
Julia Burrows, Director of Public Health at Barnsley Council, said: “Food business operators need to ensure descriptions applied to the food they sell are accurate.
“People rely on descriptions when choosing what to eat. Some people want to avoid eating certain foods and everyone needs to know what ingredients are being used in the food that they purchase.
"Substituting lamb with beef is, unfortunately, becoming more widespread. It isn’t fair to consumers or honest traders, and we will not hesitate to take legal action where necessary.
"Anyone worried about food fraud should contact the council's regulatory services team on 01226 773555."
