Indian restaurant fined £40,000 after customer suffers severe allergic reaction

An Indian restaurant and takeaway has been fined more than £40,000 after a customer was hospitalised following a severe allergic reaction.

JR Uxbridge, trading as Javitri, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to five offences in breach of health and safety at work, food information, and food safety and hygiene regulations at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 22nd April.

It follows an investigation by Hillingdon Council back in June 2024 after a customer with a nut allergy who ordered a meal with undeclared allergens suffered a severe allergic reaction resulting in hospitalisation. 

During the investigation, officers found significant failures in the management of allergens including nuts stored incorrectly in the kitchen, incomplete menu descriptions and uncertainty regarding recipes despite staff having undertaken the Food Standards Agency’s allergen training earlier that month.  

Council officers provided the restaurant with a detailed report outlining the required improvements, including identifying the ingredients and allergens in every dish. A follow up inspection found little improvement had been made, and subsequently an improvement notice was served, requiring accurate allergen information to be provided to the council. 

Despite further requests, documents received were deemed inadequate and requests for clarification were not met. 

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s cabinet member for community and environment, said: “It’s a legal responsibility for all food businesses to provide accurate allergen information to customers and ensure what they are producing and selling is safe. This case shows that failing to do so can have severe consequences for people with allergies. 

“Our food standards team works hard to protect residents from harm through routine inspections, educating businesses, serving improvement notices and if required taking legal action against businesses that neglect their responsibilities. Let this be a warning to businesses that they need to operate in line with regulations or they will be fined.”  

The company was fined £35,000 and required to pay a victim surcharge of £5,000 and the council’s prosecution costs of £3,816.