JKY Food Solutions Limited, a Birmingham-based wholesaler, was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay £26,910 in court costs plus a £120 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to selling non-Halal meat as Halal at Birmingham Crown Court on 10 September 2014.

The case was brought by Birmingham City Council after Trading Standards officers purchased a 12kg box of chicken falsely sold as Halal.

This prosecution was part of Operation Swordfish, a city-wide investigation into food fraud.

On 19 July 2012, undercover officers visited the company’s premises ahead of Ramadan. They purchased chicken marked as Halal, with the receipt also stating “Halal” in Arabic. However, documentation later revealed that between April and July 2012, the company had received more than 270 boxes of non-Halal chicken.

The chicken was traced back to a supplier in Co. Meath, Ireland, who confirmed that he had not traded in Halal chicken for months.

Cllr Barbara Dring, Chair of Birmingham’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, stated:

“Food fraud is a major concern that we take very seriously and, as in this case, we will take appropriate action – including prosecution – where any case warrants this. Consumers, particularly those who follow strict dietary guidelines in line with their religious beliefs, expect food labelling to accurately reflect the provenance of their food.”

She also urged the public to report concerns to Trading Standards for further investigation.

“This case highlights the damage food fraud causes to consumer trust. When a business mislabels meat as Halal, it isn’t just breaking the law — it is deceiving families who rely on Halal certification to align with their faith.

At VERIHALAL, we are determined to close this gap of mistrust by independently verifying suppliers and showcasing restaurants and businesses that are truly Halal. By building transparency, we protect both consumers and ethical businesses who operate honestly.

The halal label must stand for integrity — and it’s our mission to make sure it always does.”

Original reporting from Birmingham Newsroom. Read more here.