A Bognor Regis takeaway and two individuals have been found guilty following a West Sussex County Council Trading Standards investigation into unsafe food and undeclared genetically modified (GM) ingredients.
786mahbub Limited, trading as India Garden, along with Mahbub Hussain and Kabir Hussain, were due to appear at Brighton Magistrates Court on Thursday 5 March. As the defendants did not attend, the trial proceeded in their absence. Two Trading Standards officers gave evidence.
The magistrates found each party guilty of supplying unsafe food and failing to inform customers that GM oil was used for cooking food.
The case followed an investigation that began on 8 January 2025, when a Trading Standards officer telephoned India Garden in Bognor Regis to place an order for collection. The officer explained that she had a milk allergy and asked whether the Lamb Dhansak contained milk. She was assured by the male who answered the phone, understood to be manager Kabir Hussain, that it did not.
Two Trading Standards officers then attended the premises to collect the meal and carried out an inspection. During the visit they found that GM oil was being used in the cooking of food but was not declared on the menu, as required by law.
A sample of the Lamb Dhansak was analysed and, on 3 February 2025, the Public Analyst confirmed it contained milk protein, making it unsuitable for anyone with a milk allergy and unsafe under food safety regulations.
The business also kept no written allergen or food safety training records, stating that staff were trained verbally.
Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue, said:
“People with food allergies rely on accurate information, and failures like this can put lives at risk. Our Trading Standards teams will continue to take firm action wherever unsafe practices are found.”
The Food Information Regulations 2014 state that businesses have a responsibility to provide accurate allergen information to all customers that request it. The consequence of poor allergen control can result in prosecution, immediate closure or a poor food hygiene rating. For more guidance for food businesses please visit Guidance for food businesses - West Sussex County Council.
If a consumer wishes to report a business to Trading Standards they can do so at Report an incident or issue to Trading Standards - West Sussex County Council.
