Indian takeaway in Whitehaven fined for serving meal containing undeclared peanuts

The Directors of The Little Indian takeaway in Mirehouse in Whitehaven have been fined £1,345 for serving meals containing peanut when peanut-free meals were requested. 

Mr Ali and Mr Uddin both pleaded guilty to selling unsafe food at Workington Magistrates Court on Monday 29 January and, as well as the fine, were ordered to pay a £2,000 contribution to costs, and victim surcharges.

On two occasions in July 2022 and October 2022, Trading Standards Officers from Cumberland Council (formerly Cumbria County Council) contacted the takeaway to order lamb or chicken tikka korma curries clearly stating that they were allergic to peanuts and that the meal must not contain any peanut. On both occasions, samples were sent for analysis and the Public Analyst confirmed there was peanut in the meals and that the food was unsafe for a person allergic to peanut.  

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.”

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