Millions of people across the UK may have unknowingly eaten doner kebabs containing very little lamb after a major investigation uncovered widespread food fraud involving one of the country's largest kebab manufacturers.

The investigation found that products sold as lamb doner kebabs contained far less lamb than advertised, despite being labelled as containing between 70 and 87 per cent lamb. DNA testing revealed some samples contained less than 10 per cent sheep meat, with investigators instead finding goat, animal skin, fat and other lower-cost ingredients.

The case centred on Essex-based manufacturer Kismet Kebabs, which supplied doner meat to takeaway shops across the UK. Following a lengthy investigation by Swansea Council's Trading Standards team, the company admitted fraud by false representation at Swansea Crown Court. It was fined £500,000 and ordered to pay more than £259,000 in prosecution costs. Investigators estimate the company generated around £6 million through the fraudulent practice.

The investigation began after routine testing by Trading Standards officers raised concerns that the meat being supplied did not match its labelling. Further inspections at the company's factory uncovered recipes and production methods that differed significantly from what customers and takeaway owners believed they were purchasing. Prosecutors described it as straightforward food fraud, with consumers paying premium prices for products that did not contain the advertised levels of lamb.

The case has already drawn comparisons to the 2013 horsemeat scandal, one of the biggest food labelling controversies in recent UK history. However, the Food Standards Agency has stressed that this was the result of a targeted investigation and says overall food standards in the UK remain high.

News of the findings quickly spread across social media, where many admitted they were more surprised by the deception than the ingredients themselves. One person commented:

"Whoever thought this was pure lamb needs help…"

Another wrote:

"When I'm drunk, I'm smashing a kebab with my eyes closed. I promise I don't give a f*ck about none of that!"

Not everyone was quite so relaxed.

Another commented:

"I refuse to eat that lool! Smells good asf though!!"

While plenty of people joked that doner kebabs have always been considered "mystery meat", others argued the real issue was not the presence of goat, but the fact customers were unknowingly being misled about what they were buying.

For many, it is unlikely this revelation will put an end to the post-night out kebab tradition any time soon. Even so, the investigation has reignited questions around food labelling, transparency and whether customers can truly trust that what is written on the menu is what ends up on their plate.