Merseyside Takeaway Owner Penalized Over Peanut Allergy Incident

Babul Khan, the proprietor of Spicy Kitchen in Greasby, Wirral, received a fine of £8,075 on Thursday. This penalty followed his sentencing for eight food safety offences, to which he pleaded guilty in June, after a customer experienced a severe allergic reaction despite assurances that her curry was peanut-free. Antonia Brenton, who manages a potentially life-threatening peanut allergy with an EpiPe, purchased a vegetable korma from the establishment. This meal subsequently caused her to become seriously ill and experience vomiting. Ms. Brenton, having been guaranteed her food was free of peanuts, stated she “immediately knew something was wrong.” Proceedings at Liverpool, Knowsley, and St Helens Magistrates’ Court revealed that the customer had ordered the korma, a plain poppadom, and some rice from the takeaway prior to the 2023 incident. She testified to receiving assurances that the order would be safe for her consumption. However, after consuming a poppadom and two spoonfuls of the curry, her gums, lips, and tongue became swollen, and her face turned red, according to court testimony. Ken Abraham, representing Wirral Council, the body responsible for enforcing trading standards, stated that Ms. Brenton subsequently ingested antihistamines in an attempt to alleviate the reaction, but she continued to suffer from vomiting and retching. Her illness persisted into the following day, disrupting her planned attendance at a family wedding. Following Ms. Brenton’s complaint, the council procured an identical curry from the takeaway for testing. Analysis showed it contained nearly a hundred times the recommended limit of peanut protein. The local authority attempted to collaborate with the business but identified significant deficiencies in addressing health and safety protocols, including measures designed to prevent cross-contamination. The district judge presiding over the case described it as “troubling,” asserting that the sale of food is not a straightforward matter and carries potential dangers. She further commented, “This isn’t red tape or bureaucracy. It’s a matter of life or death potentially.”