The UK’s food regulator has imposed a record £500,000 fine on a Yorkshire-based kebab producer for selling meat misrepresented as lamb. Inspectors from the Food Standards Agency discovered that the company’s processed kebab meat was composed of up to 90% skin, fat and connective tissue, with only 10% actual lamb content.
Officials raided the firm’s Burnley factory on 12 March 2024 after receiving multiple consumer complaints about unusually high fat content in products. DNA testing confirmed the mislabelling, leading to immediate suspension of trading permits and a criminal prosecution under the Food Safety Act 1990.
Key Details
- ✅ £500,000 fine issued by Burnley Magistrates’ Court
- ⚡ 90% of kebab meat was skin and fat, not lamb
- 💡 Company trading as ‘Spice Street Foods’ since 2018
Spice Street Foods, which supplies kebabs to over 200 takeaways across the North West, claimed the mislabelling was an “isolated error” caused by a supplier. However, investigators found repeated breaches dating back to 2022, including falsified supplier invoices and altered batch records.
| Violation | Evidence | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| False description | DNA analysis showing 10% lamb | £250,000 |
| Breach of hygiene | Unsealed meat storage units | £150,000 |
| Fraudulent records | Altered supplier invoices | £100,000 |
Environmental health officers also discovered that the company had been using unapproved preservatives to mask spoilage in older meat batches. The firm’s managing director, Asif Khan, 48, was arrested on suspicion of fraud and food safety offences. A court date has been set for 3 October 2024.
💡 Pro Tip
Restaurants should request full supply chain documentation and third-party lab reports for all meat products to avoid inadvertent mislabelling penalties.
This case is the largest financial penalty ever imposed under the Food Safety Act for meat fraud in the UK. It follows a 2023 report by the National Food Crime Unit warning that up to 12% of kebab meat in the UK may be mislabelled. Industry analysts say the scandal could trigger stricter enforcement and mandatory DNA testing at meat processing plants.
📋 By The Numbers
- 2024 — Year of raid and prosecution
- 200 — Number of takeaways supplied by Spice Street Foods
- 2022 — First known breach date
- 12% — Estimated UK kebab meat mislabelling rate
Consumers who purchased kebabs from Spice Street Foods between January 2022 and March 2024 are advised to contact their local authority if they suspect they have consumed mislabelled products. Trading Standards has set up a dedicated hotline for complaints and refund requests.
