Mr Joynal Islam, owner of ‘Hot Chilli’ in Leamore has been ordered to pay the sum of £2,965 by Wolverhampton Magistrates after falsely selling meals described as peanut free to undercover trading standards officers on four separate occasions.
During the visits in 2018 an officer had explained that she had a peanut allergy and asked if the restaurant could supply a curry made without them. The officer was assured that no peanuts were used on the premises but after the meals were analysed they were all found to contain more than enough peanut to cause a severe and potentially fatal reaction to someone with a peanut allergy.
Wolverhampton Magistrates court heard that after the first two test purchases Mr Islam received guidance and advice from Trading Standards Officers about how to ensure he does not put allergy sufferers at risk but proceedings were brought when he continued to make false promises.
One sample that was tested, a lamb korma dish, that had been described as peanut free was found to contain 11 times more than the safe level of peanut protein. Mr Islam insisted that he did not use peanuts or almonds and only used coconut flour in his cooking and seemed surprised that it was found. The court heard that this coconut flour had been contaminated on the premises with peanut at over 200 times the safe limit.
Mr Islam also falsely described the presence of almond on his menu and failed to display a notice advising customers to ask a staff member for allergen information, which is required by law in a takeaway establishment.
Councillor Garry Perry, portfolio holder for public protection said, ‘In the UK approximately ten people die every year from an allergic reaction to food, and many more end up in hospital. Even the smallest amount of an allergen can prove to be fatal so it is crucial that food traders comply with the regulations.’
‘Trading Standards work hard to ensure the safety of our residents and where a trader fails to comply with regulations it is essential that prosecution takes place and the law enforced. Despite continuously being given warnings, Mr Islam has ignored the advice given and has now paid for not following the law.’
Mr Islam pleaded guilty to the five charges against him and has been fined the sum of £2,965.
Hot Chilli takeaway, owned by Mr Joynal Islam, changed its name to ‘Ruchi’ in September 2019.
