Food watchdog's findings follow Which? tests last year that revealed 40% of lamb takeaways contained undeclared meat - and some contained no meat at all
One in five samples of lamb takeaway meals are still contaminated with other meats such as chicken, beef and pork, the government's food watchdog has revealed, following a major investigation by a consumer group nearly a year ago.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced a series of new tests last year prompted by evidence of lamb being substituted for cheaper and substandard meats. An exposé by Which? in April 2014 found that 40% of lamb curries were adulterated with other meats - and that some contained no meat at all.
This time local authority trading standards and environmental health officers tested a much larger sample of 307 curries and kebabs and other lamb dishes from takeaway outlets and found contamination in 21% of the samples, despite pledges to stamp out so-called "food fraud".
The Which? investigation tested 60 lamb takeaways from a selection of Birmingham and London restaurants and revealed that 40% of the meals were contaminated with other meats. The consumer magazine described the latest FSA findings, which suggest little progress has been made, as shocking.
Of the samples the FSA tested, 223 (73%) were fully compliant with food legislation, 65 (21%) failed because of the presence of undeclared meat, 12 (4%) tested positive for the presence of undeclared allergens, including peanut and almonds proteins, and seven (2%) were non-compliant because of the unauthorised use of additives.
The meals that tested positive for undeclared meat showed the presence of beef, chicken, and in one sample pork, although the latter was not sold as a halal product.
Of the non-compliant samples, 23 had levels of undeclared meat below 1%, which the FSA said was more likely to indicate poor handling during processing rather than potential adulteration. Local authorities have followed up on all samples where problems were identified and relevant action was taken including, in several cases, prosecution.
Richard Lloyd, the executive director of Which? said: "Nearly a year since our investigation found evidence of food fraud in lamb takeaways, it's shocking to find that one in five samples tested were still contaminated with other meats.
"We want the government, local authorities and the FSA to take tougher action to crack down on food fraud offenders and ensure the recommendations from the Elliott review are implemented."
Nearly 35,000 members of the public have supported the consumer group's Stop Food Fraud campaign.
In last year's investigation, seven of the samples contained no lamb at all, while the meat in five samples could not be identified because it had been so highly processed. The study added to growing concern about what appears to be the widespread mislabelling of meat, following the horsemeat scandal in January 2013.
The Elliott review that followed recommended the setting up of a food crime unit within the FSA, which has been done, and improved co-ordination across government on food crime.
John Barnes, the FSA's head of local delivery, said: "Consumers need to know that the food they buy is what it says on the menu or the label. The FSA is working with local authorities to identify potential problems and investigate.
"Where problems are identified, local authorities are taking corrective action, including prosecuting offending businesses where necessary. The FSA and local authorities are on the lookout for deliberate meat substitution and action will be taken to protect local consumers and legitimate food businesses."
The Food Standards Agency tested 307 lamb kebabs, curries and other dishes from takeaway outlets. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian
