You still can’t trust what’s in a lamb takeaway

ONE in five lamb takeaways contains other types of meat – and some have no lamb at all.

The disturbing findings come a year after two investigations raised concerns about the ingredients in many curries and kebabs.

Many dishes also contain undeclared allergens and some have high levels of artificial colourings known to adversely affect health.

Seven food outlets face prosecution and others have received written warnings as a result of the latest investigation.

It was ordered by the Food Standards Agency after preliminary tests at the end of 2013 found 30 per cent of lamb dishes contained other meats or no lamb. At around the same time Which? carried out its own tests and discovered 40 per cent of the meals it sampled were affected.

Last night Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: ‘It’s shocking to find that one in five samples are still contaminated with other meats. We want the Government, local authorities and FSA to take tougher action to crack down on food fraud offenders.’

The FSA asked local authorities across the country to analyse lamb dishes sold by takeaways.

Of the 307 tested, 65 – just over one in five – failed food legislation rules because of the presence of other types of meat that were not declared on the label. Lamb is relatively expensive for take-aways to buy, which is why some use cheap, poor- quality cuts of other meat instead, such as beef, chicken and turkey.

Seventeen of the dishes were mostly or entirely beef. This will particularly alarm Hindu customers, many of whom do not eat beef for religious reasons. Two samples contained pork, which most Muslims and many Jews do not eat.

Twelve dishes tested positive for undeclared allergens such as peanuts, which can cause serious reactions and even death. And seven curry sauces had high levels of the artificial colours Sunset Yellow ( E110) and Ponceau 4R (E124).

Sunset Yellow can cause stomach upsets, hyperactivity and other health problems, and the FSA has previously urged manufacturers to eliminate it from food aimed at children.

Ponceau 4R has been linked to hyperactivity, too, as well as problems for those with asthma. It is banned in the US.

Yesterday, FSA spokesman John Barnes said: ‘Consumers need to know that the food they buy is what it says on the menu or the label. We are on the lookout for deliberate meat substitution, and action will be taken to protect consumers and legitimate food businesses.’

‘Action will be taken’