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.”