Restaurant Fined Thousands for Serving Peanuts to Allergic Customers

Strategic Insights -

Two customers who booked a table at Rasika Restaurant in Newcastle suffered anaphylactic shock after being served peanuts, despite having peanut allergies. The incident highlighted the importance of proper food labeling, storage, and handling practices to prevent cross-contamination. Environmental Health Officers from Newcastle City Council's Food Safety Team investigated the incident and found several food safety offenses, leading to the prosecution of the restaurant and its directors.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rasika Restaurant was fined £3,172 for serving peanuts to two customers who suffered anaphylactic shock due to peanut allergies.
  • The restaurant's menu did not have precautionary allergen labeling, which is considered good practice to warn customers of potential allergens.
  • The investigation found parts of a food safety pack used by staff were missing, and there was a risk of nut-free naan breads being cross-contaminated with nuts due to poor storage and ineffective cleaning.
  • The restaurant's directors, Faruk Ahmed and Mohammed Ali Shamsed, pleaded guilty to seven food safety offenses and were fined a total of £1,105 and £403, respectively.
  • The restaurant has since implemented new measures to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, including a disclaimer on their menu warning of potential nut traces and staff training on food allergens.

Statistics:

  • 100% of the ground peanut in the mixed nut powder on a Peshwari naan caused a significant risk of allergic reaction.
  • The garlic naan taken for sampling showed enough peanut protein to cause an allergic reaction in a susceptible person.
  • 30 years of experience in catering for the restaurant's directors were not enough to prevent the incident.
  • 12 hours of observation in the hospital was required for one of the customers who suffered anaphylactic shock.
  • The restaurant was previously awarded 5-star hygiene ratings, but this incident highlights that even established restaurants can still break the law and put customers at risk.

Sources:

  • "Restaurant fined thousands for serving peanuts to allergic customers" (Reach PLC, [no date])
  • Newcastle City Council's Food Safety Team (Newcastle City Council, [no date])
  • Rasika Restaurant on Sandhill (Google Maps, [no date])
  • Newcastle Magistrates' Court (Newcastle Magistrates' Court, [no date])