AN INDIAN takeaway in Ceredigion has been ordered to pay £2,808 after an investigation uncovered serious failures in allergen management and food information.

Ruhul Amin Choudhury, trading as Nehar Indian Takeaway on Bridge Street in Lampeter, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Mar 3), where he pleaded guilty to three offences relating to breaches of food information and safety regulations.

The court fined him £1,290 and ordered him to pay a £518 victim surcharge and £1,000 in investigation and legal costs to Ceredigion County Council.

The offences came to light after officers from the council’s Public Protection team carried out an unannounced test purchase on January 23, 2025.

During the order, officers informed staff that one member of their party had a mustard allergy. However, the prawn cocktail supplied by the takeaway was later found to contain mustard.

Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the allergen, meaning the food posed a potentially serious health risk.

Officers also discovered that the business was using genetically modified cooking oil without informing customers, as required by law. The issue had previously been raised with the owner on two separate occasions, but no corrective action had been taken.

Further concerns emerged when investigators examined the takeaway’s menu, which claimed that “no artificial colours or food additives are used”.

During the inspection, however, officers found a container labelled “bright red colour” on the premises. The product contained artificial colourings including E129 Allura Red, E102 Tartrazine and E122 Carmoisine.

Mr Choudhury confirmed these colourings were used in dishes such as chicken tikka masala and pilau rice. Laboratory tests later verified the presence of artificial colouring in food samples.

During interview, Mr Choudhury accepted the findings and offered no defence. He told investigators he was unaware the cooking oil was genetically modified, acknowledged the menu contained incorrect information about artificial colours, and said he did not realise the prawn cocktail sauce contained mustard.

Officers concluded he had a limited understanding of allergen control and food information requirements, raising concerns about safety practices at the premises.

A formal notice was issued requiring the business to stop handling any of the fourteen regulated allergens and to take immediate corrective action. Mr Choudhury voluntarily closed the premises later that evening.

In court, the defence solicitor said Mr Choudhury had worked in the catering industry for many years and had no previous convictions.

He told the magistrates his client was “a stranger to the court” and intended to introduce proper systems to prevent future issues, adding that a lack of understanding and the need for further support had contributed to the offences.

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection, said: “This case highlights the importance of good allergen control and accurate food information.

“Undeclared allergens can have life-threatening consequences, and our officers found several worrying failings during this investigation.

“Our team worked closely with the business to ensure urgent corrective action was taken, and we will continue to support and enforce where necessary to keep consumers safe.”

A MAN and a teenage accomplice who set fire outside a family caravan in Pembrokeshire had been paid to carry out the attack, a court has heard.

Swansea Crown Court was told that a couple were living in a static caravan on farmland in Ambleston with their children and dogs on the evening of Thursday (Nov 7), 2024.

At around 9:30pm the couple heard a vehicle arriving nearby. Moments later, flames appeared outside one of the caravan windows.

The occupants rushed outside and discovered that one fire had been started beneath the window, while another had been lit on the opposite side of a nearby hedge. They managed to extinguish both fires themselves before calling emergency services.

Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir told the court that officers later saw two individuals walking towards a petrol station in Haverfordwest that night. The pair were wearing hooded tops and carrying a green petrol can before getting into a white Audi.

Following the arson report, police located the vehicle and arrested Jack Newman and a 16-year-old boy.

A fire investigation later concluded that the blazes were small and would probably have burned themselves out if they had not been spotted quickly.

Officers also discovered a melted green petrol container close to the caravan.

Examination of Newman’s phone uncovered messages with a contact saved as “Best Buys” discussing the location of the caravan in Ambleston. Prosecutors said the messages included references to carrying out the attack for £500.

Further Snapchat messages between Newman and the teenager earlier that day also discussed plans to start the fire.

Both defendants admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered when the case came to trial.

The court heard neither defendant had previous convictions.

Defending Newman, Ieuan Rees told the court the 22-year-old had previously been of good character and that his involvement in the offence was out of character. However, he accepted Newman had taken the more significant role in the incident.

The defence also said Newman had not committed any further offences since the incident.

Representing the younger defendant, Robin Rouch said his client had cooperated fully with the Youth Offending Team and had shown maturity since the incident, which took place when he was 16.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said the pair had been paid by a third party to carry out the attack.

“This was not some childish prank,” he told them. “It was a revenge attack carried out for a perceived grievance.”

Newman, of Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

The teenager, now aged 17 and who cannot be named for legal reasons, received a Youth Rehabilitation Order. The order includes 12 months of supervision and 40 hours of unpaid work.

A 41-YEAR-OLD Carmarthen man has been handed a community order after admitting a string of shop thefts carried out over several weeks.

Nicholas Dunn, aged 41, of Maple Crescent, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with a series of shoplifting offences committed in Carmarthen during January and February this year.

The court heard that Dunn targeted stores on multiple occasions, mainly stealing groceries from a local Co-op store.

Among the offences, Dunn admitted stealing groceries worth £24 on January 31, groceries worth £41 on January 16, and groceries worth £50.50 on January 26. Further thefts included items worth £37.05 and £69.25 during the same month.

The offences continued into February, with Dunn admitting stealing groceries worth £101.50 from the Co-op on February 11 and groceries worth £81.85 on February 7.

In a separate incident on February 1, Dunn also stole a toy valued at £60 from The Entertainer store in Carmarthen.

All offences were contrary to Section 1(1) and Section 7 of the Theft Act 1968.

Magistrates sentenced Dunn to a community order running until March 5, 2027. As part of the order, he must comply with supervision and take part in rehabilitation activity requirements, attending appointments or activities as directed by the responsible officer for up to 15 days.

The court also ordered Dunn to pay compensation, including £60 relating to one of the thefts. Dunn received credit for entering guilty pleas.