The Cost of Ignoring Allergen Safety: A Lesson from Hertfordshire

A recent case in Hertfordshire serves as a serious reminder for all food businesses: neglecting to declare allergens can be costly. A local Indian restaurant and takeaway was fined over £11,000 after failing to list peanuts in their dishes - putting diners' lives at risk. This incident highlights the importance of clear allergen communication, especially with Owen’s Law on the horizon.

Food businesses must go beyond the bare minimum to ensure safety. Allergen Checker offers a simple solution to help your establishment stay compliant and protect your customers.

The Importance of Allergen Transparency UK law currently requires restaurants to provide information on 14 specific allergens, but many establishments struggle to ensure this is handled properly. In the case of the Hertfordshire restaurant, peanuts - a common allergen - were left off the menu, resulting in significant legal and financial consequences. This was not just an isolated error but a serious breach of food safety regulations. For businesses, it serves as a reminder that neglecting allergen safety can lead to dangerous consequences for customers and hefty fines.

How Allergen Checker Can Help Staying on top of allergen information is not just a legal requirement; it’s a responsibility to your customers. Allergen Checker makes it easy to provide accurate, accessible allergen information with just a simple QR code. Diners can scan to view allergen details in real time, ensuring transparency and giving them confidence when dining out.

By using Allergen Checker, food establishments can avoid costly mistakes like the one in Hertfordshire, protect customers with allergies, and safeguard their own reputation.

Conclusion The fine levied against the Hertfordshire restaurant is a wake-up call for all food businesses. As Owen’s Law approaches, there is an even greater need to ensure that every allergen - whether on the official list of 14 or not - is properly communicated to diners. Allergen Checker can help you meet these standards with ease, ensuring that your customers are safe and your business stays compliant.

Stay ahead of the law, protect your customers, and prevent costly mistakes with Allergen Checker.

Learn more about how Allergen Checker can support your business here.