RUBERY restaurant was ordered to pay thousands after it illegally sold beef curries as lamb.

The Massala Bite Indian eatery’s deception was discovered during a routine sampling exercise carried out by Worcestershire Regulatory Services’ Trading Standards Team.

On two occasions, officers purchased a lamb madras from the restaurant and then took samples which were submitted to Worcestershire’s public analyst who tested the food and found it to be beef.

The company director Mr Bodrul Mohammed Islam said the company had limited finances and therefore used the cheaper meat.

He added that menus had not been amended for the same reason and staff had been told to advise customers of the use of beef instead of lamb.

However, this advice was not given to the Trading Standards officers during their two visits.

Worcester Regulatory Services joint committee chairman Councillor Mark Bullivant said: Worcestershire’s Trading Standards Officers carry out regular inspections and sampling at food premises to check the authenticity of food. Our professional officers are committed to ensuring that food is honestly and accurately described, and will continue to take formal action where the law is flouted.”

“The recent Elliot Review into the Integrity and Assurance of Food Supply Networks highlights the need to take a robust and zero tolerance approach to food fraud. Consumers need confidence in the County’s food businesses.

“The fine handed down by the Magistrates in this case shows how seriously the court views such matters”

On Thursday, September 4, Redditch Magistrates Court heard that the restaurant had been selling beef curries described as lamb.

The company was charged under section 1 of the Food Safety Act and ordered to pay £3489 including fines, costs and a victim surcharge.