A Northumberland restaurant has been fined £3,000 after selling food that was contaminated by peanuts.
On 14th July 2017 a Trading Standards officer, posing as a customer with a nut allergy, visited Asmara Indian Cuisine on Freehold Street in Blyth and specifically asked for a chicken korma and plain pilau rice that did not contain nuts.
Takeaway owner Abdul Karim confirmed that the items ordered did not contain nuts, but subsequent analysis revealed that the korma contained 26 mg/kg of peanuts - more than enough to trigger a severe allergic reaction in someone with a peanut allergy.
Asmara Indian Cuisine Limited was fined £3000 for selling unsafe food and charged a further £500 for selling food with rogue ingredients at South East and Mid Northumberland Magistrates' Courts in Bedlington.
The restaurant was also ordered to pay £993.50 in prosecution costs and a £170 victim surcharge, making a total of £4663.50.
Philip Soderquest, Northumberland County Council's Head of Public Protection, said: "This fine sends a strong message to the trade that the courts will take these issues very seriously. We are happy to advise business owners if they have any concerns at all. We would rather provide advice and support to businesses rather than prosecute, but we will do so where the circumstances support it.
"Nut and peanut allergies can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis may begin with some of the same symptoms as a less severe reaction, but then quickly worsen, leading someone to have trouble breathing, feel lightheaded, or to pass out. If it is not treated quickly, anaphylaxis can be life threatening."
The restaurant is now under new management and trading under a new name, Blyth Catering NE Limited.
Co-owner Jamal Hussein said: "This will never happen under our ownership. We have been in the trade for many years and we're not that stupid."
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