Whitehaven takeaway bosses have been fined £1,345 for serving meals containing nuts.
Little Indian on Mirehouse was called by a Trading Standards officer in July 2022, posing as a customer, who said they were allergic to peanuts and requested a nut-free meal.
The officer was told by a member of staff that the meal – a lamb tikka korma – would not contain any peanut, but would contain coconut powder.
But analysis found the meal did contain peanut, making the meal unsafe for anyone with a peanut allergy.
The business, run by directors Koyesh Ali and Giash Uddin, was warned that the amount of peanut in the meal was sufficient to provoke an allergic reaction to someone with a peanut allergy and that such reactions can be fatal.
But, in October of that year, a Trading Standards officer telephoned the Little Indian with an order for three chicken tikka kormas, making it clear that they were allergic to peanuts.
On entering the shop to pay for the meals, the officer again asked for and was given confirmation that the meal did not contain peanut.
Analysis of those meals confirmed there was peanut in the meal and that the food was unsafe for people with a peanut allergy.
At Workington Magistrates Court, Ali and Uddin pleaded guilty to selling unsafe food and were fined. They were also ordered to pay £2,000 costs and victim surcharges of £261 and £277.
Councillor Bob Kelly, executive portfolio holder for policy and regulatory services, said: “It is both disappointing and very concerning that a food outlet can be caught out twice for a potentially very dangerous offence of this kind.
“We really hope that the conviction and penalty will serve as a clear message to every food outlet across Cumberland. The message is a simple one – they must take great care of their food production, the information they publish about their food, and the way they respond to customer queries.
“It is vitally important that food outlets understand food allergies and the importance of preventing any cross-contamination occurring in their kitchens. Not doing so can be fatal for anyone with an allergy.”
