An Indian takeaway in North Yorkshire has been caught selling sheep curry that was wrongly advertised as containing ostrich.
The Jaipur Spice in Thirsk at Busby Stoop Inn was visited by trading standards officers in December 2023.
Officials bought a meal described as containing ostrich meat, but when they tested it, the dish was instead found to contain sheep.
Today, Abdul Malik Ali, of Amalik Café Ltd, Thirsk, pleaded guilty to offences under Sections 14 and 15 of the Food Safety Act 1990 at York Magistrates Court.
An Indian takeaway in North Yorkshire has been caught selling sheep curry that was wrongly advertised as containing ostrich
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He and the company were ordered to pay a combined total of more than £1,500.
In his defence, Ali said a temporary chef had mistakenly selected the wrong meat during preparation of the meals.
After the court hearing, North Yorkshire Council issued a warning to restaurant owners not to deceive their customers.
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The Food Safety Act states that all food should be of the nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser, while labelling and presentation must be accurate and not likely to mislead.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for regulatory services, Cllr Greg White, said: “Consumers should not be subject to this or any kind of food fraud.
"We will not allow producers to deceive their customers and we will take action against those who break the law.
“If a person pays for an ostrich dish, then they should be given ostrich and not a cheaper alternative.”
After pleading guilty at today’s hearing, Ali was handed a £237 fine and ordered to pay a further £400 in costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
Amalik Cafe Ltd was fined £120 and was ordered to pay £672 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
