Takeaway fined £1500 after serving wrong animal in ostrich curry

'If a person pays for an ostrich dish, then they should be given ostrich'

Abdul Malik Ali, of Amalik Cafe Ltd, Thirsk, pleaded guilty to offences under the Food Safety Act 1990 when he appeared at York Magistrates' Court on Friday, the BBC reports.

In December 2003, trading standards officers from North Yorkshire Council had visited the Jaipur Spice at the Busby Stoop Inn, near Thirsk, where they bought a meal described as an ostrich curry.

However, after carrying out tests on the meal, they found it actually contained sheep meat instead of meat from the large bird.

In his defence, Ali, who ran the restaurant on the day of the visit, claimed a temporary chef had selected the wrong meat while preparing the meal.

He was issued a £237 fine and ordered to pay a further £400 in costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Meanwhile, Amalik Cafe Ltd was fined £120 and was ordered to pay £672 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

Greg White, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for regulatory services, 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."