Two South Wales men have been convicted of selling mislabelled meat to restaurants and takeaways, falsely advertising it as halal when in actuality it was not. The case has exposed not only fraudulent practices within the food wholesale industry but also alarming food hygiene violations that risked the safety of consumers across the region.
Helim Miah, 46, has received a sentence of four years and eight months behind bars after investigators uncovered that his company was distributing meat under false halal certification. Noaf Rahman, also 46, was given a 24-month suspended sentence for his role in the operation. The business they ran, Universal Foods (Wholesale) Ltd, based in Bessemer Close, Cardiff, supplied numerous Indian eateries and takeaways with products they claimed were halal.
The investigation took a dramatic turn in January 2019 when regulatory officers from Cardiff and the Vale Shared Regulatory Services seized nearly three tonnes of frozen meat from the company’s premises. What followed was a catalogue of discoveries that exposed the duo’s disregard for both consumer rights and public health. Among the most shocking findings were chicken portions up to two years beyond their sell-by date, no reliable temperature records, and meat transported in vehicles unfit to maintain required hygiene standards. In some instances, officials found poultry that had been defrosted and then frozen again, a serious breach of food safety guidelines.
The investigation, presented recently at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, revealed further evidence of pest activity at the premises and instances where unmarked meat was delivered in dirty, non-refrigerated vans. Such conditions demonstrated a widespread failure to adhere to the fundamental rules intended to protect customers from harm.
While Rahman admitted to multiple breaches of food hygiene rules, Miah denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was not involved in day-to-day operations. However, a jury found him guilty of ten counts, including dishonestly running a food business, deliberately passing off non-halal meat as halal, falsifying expiry dates, flouting hygiene regulations, and disregarding the traceability of the products – all actions that not only breached the law but undermined public trust, particularly among Muslim consumers.
During sentencing, Judge Vanessa Francis described Miah’s actions as a serious violation of public trust, especially given the faith-based dietary requirements of many customers. The fraud, she pointed out, threatened both the integrity of the food supply and the health of those who unwittingly consumed the mislabelled meats.
The judgement has sparked concern within Cardiff’s Muslim community. Councillor Norma Mackie, responsible for Shared Regulatory Services at Cardiff Council, highlighted the religious significance of halal consumption, stating the case demonstrated a blatant disregard for the values and wellbeing of the community the business claimed to serve. “This incident underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in food supply chains,” she remarked, urging anyone with concerns about the origin or authenticity of food products to contact the authorities.
The case has prompted wider questions around the verification of halal certification in the UK and the responsibility that rests with wholesalers and suppliers to be fully transparent in their labelling and procedures. Food fraud, particularly where religious observance and consumer safety intersect, remains a significant issue for regulators to tackle, and this case may serve as a cautionary tale for both the industry and policymakers.
Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicions regarding food authenticity or quality. Authorities continue to stress the importance of robust food traceability and strict regulatory oversight to ensure incidents such as this are not repeated.
The sentences handed down send a clear message that misleading consumers, disregarding food safety standards, and exploiting religious labelling for profit will not be tolerated by the courts. As the dust settles, the hope among many is that the case will prompt renewed efforts to enforce rigorous standards across the food industry for the benefit of all.