North Yorkshire takeaway fined after selling Sheep curry advertised as Ostrich
They had to pay over £1500
Last updated 1st May 2025
An Indian Takeaway has been fined after selling sheep curry which had been advertised as ostrich.
It's as North Yorkshire Council issue a warning to restaurant owners not to deceive their customers.
Abdul Malik Ali, of Amalik Café Ltd, Thirsk, pleaded guilty to offences under Sections 14 and 15 of the Food Safety Act when he appeared at York Magistrates Court today (February 7).
He and the company have subsequently been ordered to pay a combined total of more than £1,500.
Mr Ali was the food business operator of Jaipur Spice, Busby Stoop Inn, when North Yorkshire Council’s trading standards officers visited the premises in December 2023.
They made a test purchase of a meal described as containing ostrich meat, but was found to contain sheep meat.
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.
Mr Ali said a temporary chef had mistakenly selected the wrong meat during preparation of the meals.
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.”