Restaurant ordered to pay over £40,000 after customer suffers allergic reaction

A restaurant and takeaway has been ordered to pay £43,816 after a customer suffered a severe allergic reaction.

The customer, who had a nut allergy, required hospital treatment after ordering a meal containing undeclared allergens.  

An investigation by Hillingdon Council found “significant failings” in both the control of allergens and the provision of allergen information at JR Uxbridge, which trades as Javitri in High Street, Uxbridge.

The business pleaded guilty to five offences including breaching health and safety at work, food information, and food safety and hygiene regulations at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 22 April.

It was fined £35,000 as well as being required to pay a victim surcharge of £5,000 and the council’s prosecution costs of £3,816.   

When food safety officers had visited the restaurant, they found significant failures in the management of allergens.

These included nuts stored incorrectly, incomplete menu descriptions and uncertainty regarding recipes.

Council officers provided the restaurant with a report outlining the required improvements, including identifying the ingredients and allergens in every dish.

It made several follow-up requests for improvements to be made, but has said these were not completed to an acceptable standard.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s cabinet member for community and environment, said: “It’s a legal responsibility for all food businesses to provide accurate allergen information to customers and ensure what they are producing and selling is safe. This case shows that failing to do so can have severe consequences for people with allergies. 

“Our food standards team works hard to protect residents from harm through routine inspections, educating businesses, serving improvement notices and if required taking legal action against businesses that neglect their responsibilities. Let this be a warning to businesses that they need to operate in line with regulations or they will be fined.”