A TAKEAWAY owner from Newport has been fined after admitting selling beef under the guise of lamb.

Abdul Malik of Capel Crescent, and his business partner, Saila Meah, were taken to court following an investigation by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards division.

The case was opened after the team received a complaint in July 2015 alleging lamb curries bought at the Flavours of India, on Bedwlwyn Road, Ystrad Mynach, contained beef. Trading standards officers bought a lamb biryani from the premises and, on analysis, found it did contain beef.

An investigation found 42-year-old Meah usually bought lamb, chicken and mutton from a Newport wholesaler, but had on one occasion been given beef by mistake.

Malik told trading standards he did not use the beef as soon as he was informed of the mistake, but an examination of his business records was unable to establish what meat was used and when.

The case was heard a Newport Magistrates Court on Friday June 10, where Malik and Meah, aged 40, both pleaded guilty to an offence under the Food Safety Act 1990.

Both were fined £1,330 and ordered to pay council costs of £668 and a victim surcharge of £120.

They also told the court the business has since put procedures in place to avoid a repeat of the incident.

Speaking after the sentence, the council’s cabinet member for public protection, councillor Nigel George, said: “Ensuring the correct labelling and description of food products is extremely important, particularly so in light of the potential for allergic reactions.

“We’re sadly all too familiar with the case of the gentleman from north Yorkshire who died due to eating food containing undeclared allergens, so this case brings into sharp focus the importance of ensuring customers receive correctly labelled and described food.

“I’m pleased the courts shared our concerns about the severity of this issue.”

To report an issue to Caerphilly Trading Standards call 01495 235 291 or visit caerphilly.gov.uk/tradingstandards.