BUTCHERS SHOPS GET BROMLEY’S GOAT “Ask before you buy” – advice
Members of the public are being advised to ask their butchers about the meat they are buying – particularly goat meat – after two butchers shops in Penge were fined for selling mutton as goat.
“There is confusion within local communities regarding the terminology used to describe and sell both sheep mutton meat and goat meat” say Bromley.
“Terms such as curry meat, curry mutton or curry goat are illegal and should not be used.
“All meat sold by butchers should be properly labelled with the species of animal the meat has come from, the description of the cut of meat and the cost per kilo. “The term mutton is used to describe sheep meat in the U.K. “It is illegal to use this term to describe goat meat.”
Incorrectly labelled meat was uncovered in May 2014 when a sampling programme run by Bromley council’s food safety team tested goat meat sold in butcher’s shops in the borough.
Three men from one butchers pleaded guilty at Bromley magistrates court and were fined a total of £1,900 with £150 victim surcharge and £4,500 in costs to Bromley council for this and other offences.
“Two of the men hampered the officer’s investigation into the offences and failed to provide information about the operation of the food business or any personal details and as a result, both were also charged with obstruction offences” said a Bromley council press release.
“The fines and costs were apportioned to reflect the responsibility of each of the defendants for the offences and their responsibility for the operation of the food business.”
In a second case involving a different butcher’s shop which the council said “took full responsibility” for selling sheep mutton meat as goat meat, one man was fined £375 plus £38 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £1,958 in costs. (Source: Bromley council press release)