Restaurant fined for serving peanuts to an allergy sufferer
In a public liability suit, an eatery in Derbyshire has been ordered to pay a compensation claim to an allergy sufferer who was served peanuts.
The court heard the restaurant failed to declare the presence of peanuts in a spare ribs meal on 14 January last year, even though the customer had made a point of mentioning his allergy.
Despite the consumer asking for a peanut-free option, he was given a meal which contained the ingredient and required hospitalisation as a result.
Chesterfield magistrates court fined the takeaway company, in Derby Road, more than £2,500 for breaching food safety rules.
Speaking after the hearing, local councillor Carol Hart said: "Restaurant owners that do not stick to the guidelines should take this court case as a warning that they will be prosecuted if they flout these laws."
She added that it is crucial for people suffering from potentially fatal nut allergies to make informed choices about the food they eat, otherwise they run the risk of suffering personal injury.
Updated on 27/01/2010