Restaurant owners are being warned against misleading customers after the director of a Thirsk-based Indian takeaway was fined for selling a dish advertised as containing ostrich but actually made with sheep.
Abdul Malik Ali, of Amalik Café Ltd, pleaded guilty to offences under Sections 14 and 15 of the Food Safety Act 1990 at York Magistrates Court on February 7. As a result, he and his company have been ordered to pay a combined total of more than £1,500.
Mr Ali was operating Jaipur Spice at Busby Stoop Inn when North Yorkshire Council’s trading standards officers conducted a test purchase in December 2023. The meal, which was supposed to contain ostrich, was later found to contain sheep meat instead.
The Food Safety Act requires that all food be of the nature, substance, and quality expected by the consumer, with accurate labelling and presentation to avoid misleading customers.
In his defence, Mr Ali stated that a temporary chef had mistakenly used the wrong meat when preparing the dish.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for regulatory services, Cllr Greg White, said: “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.”
At the hearing, Mr Ali was fined £237 and ordered to pay £400 in costs along with a £95 victim surcharge. Amalik Café Ltd was fined £120 and ordered to pay £672 in costs plus a £48 victim surcharge.
The case serves as a stark reminder to food businesses to ensure they are accurately representing their products and maintaining high food safety standards.
