Release date: 6 November 2026
A Bognor Regis takeaway and its director and manager have been ordered to pay more than £16,000 in fines, costs and victim surcharges following a successful prosecution by West Sussex County Council Trading Standards.
786mahbub Limited, trading as India Garden, together with the director Mahbub Hussain, 26, and manager Kabir Hussain, 48, both of Thorncroft Road in Littlehampton, were found guilty at Brighton Magistrates' Court on 5 March 2026 of supplying unsafe food and failing to inform customers that genetically modified (GM) oil was used in the preparation of food.
The defendants did not attend the trial, which proceeded in their absence. Following sentencing on 12 October, the takeaway business and its director and manager, were ordered to pay a combined £16,177.80 in financial penalties and costs. The company received an £11,000 penalty including costs, with the two men each ordered to pay £2,588.90, reflecting the seriousness of offences involving allergen safety and food information requirements.
The prosecution arose from a test purchase carried out by Trading Standards officers in January 2025. An officer carrying out a test purchase and claiming to have a milk allergy was assured by the business that a lamb dhansak dish did not contain milk. However, subsequent analysis confirmed the presence of milk protein, making the meal unsafe for anyone with a milk allergy.
During the investigation, officers also found that genetically modified oil was being used in the preparation of food without the legally required information being provided to customers. The court heard that the business had no documented allergen or food safety training records.
Cllr Tracie Bangert, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue, said: "Food allergies can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences, which is why consumers must be able to trust the information they are given when ordering food.
"This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting residents and holding businesses to account when they fail to meet their legal responsibilities. We hope the outcome serves as a reminder to all food businesses of the importance of robust allergen management and accurate food information."
Food businesses are legally required to provide accurate information on the presence of any of the 14 allergens in the food they sell, ensuring that consumers have the information they need to make safe and informed choices about what they eat. West Sussex Trading Standards continues to work with businesses to promote compliance, while taking enforcement action where necessary to protect consumers. Find out more at Guidance for food businesses - West Sussex County Council.
