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Norfolk restaurants have been caught serving meals with harmful allergens, even when asked to check they do not contain them. Undercover Trading Standards officers carried out investigations on a number of businesses across the county, amid concerns many are not doing enough to protect diners who suffer from allergies. They have warned that firms failing to ensure certain meals do not contain allergens could have serious repercussions, and could even lead to deaths.
Sophie Leney, head of Norfolk Trading Standards (Image: Norfolk County Council) Sophie Leney, head of Norfolk Trading Standards, said: "Businesses failing to correctly label food and drink products, and the allergens such as peanuts and dairy produce within them, can have serious consequences – and in the worst-case scenario it can cost lives. "So the work our Trading Standards officers are doing carrying out these checks is critical for the safety of Norfolk’s consumers." Tests found the burger meal contained egg, when the Trading Standards officer had asked for it to be free of allergens (Image: Antony Kelly) Officers from Trading Standards, which is a department at Norfolk County Council, took 21 meals as samples from Norfolk restaurants and takeaways.
They stated they had a specific allergy at the time of ordering and requested allergy-free food. But, in tests of the meals purchased, two have failed so far, and three results have yet to be analysed. Of the two which failed, one was where egg was detected in a beef burger meal ordered at a restaurant, where the sampling officer had requested an egg-free meal.
In the other case, gluten was detected in a doner wrap bought from a takeaway, where the officer had specifically asked for no gluten. Trading Standards has now taken further follow-up samples from the two businesses, with results awaited. The restaurants have not been named, but a spokesman said: "Both received advice at the time of inspection, and received written warnings as a result of the failures which directed them to online business guidance and training provided by the Food Standards Agency.
" Watchdogs also carried out checks of allergens in cocktails, taking a dozen samples. When the drinks were bought, the officer explained they had a specific allergy. Milk proteins were found in two cocktails during Trading Standards tests (Image: Sarah Louise Brown) Tests showed 10 of the cocktails were satisfactory, but two, from the same businesses, had milk protein in them, when the officer had asked for milk-free drinks.
The levels were not enough to fail, but advice was given to the business. Despite the failures, Trading Standards said businesses were getting better at ensuring food did not contain allergens - and at labelling meals. The failure rate for 2024/25 was at just under 10pc, an improvement on 19pc in checks the previous year and the 38pc in 2022/23.
Ms Laney said: "We’re encouraged to see that the number of foods sold with undeclared allergenic ingredients has dropped so significantly in recent years, and we will continue to work with businesses to ensure they understand the laws on labelling and allergens and are abiding by them to keep their customers safe. "Checking food standards, including descriptions, composition, origin and labelling is a really important aspect of the day-to-day work of Norfolk Trading Standards." Trading Standards is a department of Norfolk County Council READ MORE: Norfolk pubs found to be short changing drinkers in probe About 2–3pc of children and 1–2pc of adults in the UK have a food allergy.
There have been instances where people have died from allergic reactions after eating food from restaurants and takeaways which have contained allergens, despite telling staff of their allergies. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently issued new guidance that restaurants and cafes should provide written information and "encourage a conversation" with customers about potential allergens in their food. Restaurants are already legally required to inform customers about the presence of any of the 14 major food allergens in their dishes, either by clearly listing them on the menu, providing a separate allergen menu, or verbally informing customers upon request.
READ MORE: Sainsbury's Asda, Tesco recalls and warnings to shoppers They must ensure staff are trained to accurately provide this information and be able to explain how allergens may be present due to potential cross-contamination. The FSA's latest best practice guidance aims to support food businesses when communicating with customers about allergens. FSA chief executive Katie Pettifer said: "We are still encouraging consumers to tell food business staff about any food allergies or intolerances, but we are now setting an expectation that businesses should provide written allergen information and encourage a conversation with their customers.
" READ MORE: Norfolk Trading Standards work defence amid postcode lottery What are the 14 allergenic ingredients food businesses must provide information about? Celery Cereals containing gluten Crustaceans Eggs Fish Lupin Milk Molluscs Mustard Nuts Peanuts Sesame seeds Soya Sulphur Dioxide.
