An Indian takeaway that falsely advertised ‘ostrich curry’ on its menu has been fined after a North Yorkshire Trading Standards investigation revealed the dish actually contained mutton.
When Officers visited Jaipur Spice in Thirsk in December 2023 they made a test purchase of a meal described as containing ostrich meat. Subsequent tests revealed the curry was in fact made from sheep meat.
The North Yorkshire team brought a prosecution under Sections 14 and 15 of the Food Safety Act 1990, which states that 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.
Appearing at York Magistrates’ Court on 7 February, Abdul Malik Ali, of Amalik Café Ltd – which trades as Jaipur Spice – pleaded guilty to offences under the Act.
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, resulting in a combined total of £1,572.
In his defence, Ali said a temporary chef had mistakenly selected the wrong meat during preparation of the meals.
North Yorkshire Council executive member for regulatory services, Councillor 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.”
