Woman hospitalised over dessert containing nuts

A business is under investigation by trading standards officers after a woman was hospitalised when the firm used a chocolate hazelnut dessert topping instead of chocolate.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards said the business in Bradford had served the topping on a dessert despite the customer informing staff they had a nut allergy.

Another investigation by the organisation looked into a separate firm in the city which had served an undercover officer gluten-free food that was later found to contain high levels of gluten.

Councillors will discuss the findings as part of an annual update on the work of West Yorkshire Joint Services, which runs trading standards.

The update report included details of two investigations into businesses, which are not named, that are alleged to have breached guidelines relating to food allergens, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It said nationally there had been a "number of fatal incidents" involving food allergens.

The report added that trading standards received a "high number of allergen complaints" throughout the year in West Yorkshire and the issues remained a "high priority".

"A Bradford food business was recently the subject of a complaint from an individual with a nut allergy who was hospitalised after ordering a dessert dish.

"Despite making the business aware of her allergy the complainant was served a 'Nutella' style topping instead of Belgian chocolate."

It said undercover officers then visited the premises and replicated the customer's experience

"The food product was submitted to the public analyst, where the presence of hazelnuts was confirmed."

The report said investigations into the business were ongoing.

Detailing the second ongoing investigation, the report said it was responding to a complaint about the accuracy of another business' menu detailing allergens.

It said an officer visited and offered advice on complying with legislation around allergens.

"A subsequent visit was carried out covertly by another officer who ordered food posing as a customer with a gluten allergy," the report said.

"The officer made it clear at the time of purchase of the allergy.

"After the food was provided the officer announced themselves to the food business and procured samples of the food to be sent to the public analyst.

"Upon analysis one of the meals was found to contain high levels of gluten.

"An investigation is ongoing for alleged breaches of the food allergen laws."