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Staff at an Indian restaurant in Newcastle were fined thousands of pounds after serving peanut to two customers who went into anaphylactic shock.

The pair, who were with two other friends, booked a table at Rasika Restaurant on Sandhill, Newcastle, in March last year. On arrival they alerted staff about their peanut allergies, and chose from the menu but within minutes of eating their meals the two pals began to suffer an allergic reaction.

One of the men left the restaurant to buy some antihistamine and on return found his friend’s lips and tongue beginning to swell and struggling to speak.

An ambulance was called, and the control room advised the man to administer an Epi-pen into the leg of his friend who by now was struggling to breathe outside the restaurant. They instructed a defibrillator to be used but one could not be located.

Paramedics arrived and gave the man adrenalin and rushed him to the Royal Victoria Infirmary where he was admitted to urgent care. He was kept under observation for 12 hours and had time off work.

Environmental Health Officers from Newcastle City Council’s Food Safety Team visited Rasika to carry out an investigation.

They noted there was no precautionary allergen labelling on the menu. While this is not a legal requirement it is considered good practice as it warns customers of potential allergens so they can decide whether to eat.

Parts of a food safety pack used by staff were found to be missing and mixed nut powder on a Peshwari naan consisted of 100% ground peanut.

A garlic naan taken for sampling showed enough peanut protein to cause an allergic reaction in a susceptible person.

During a second inspection officers noted lots of potential for nut free naan to be cross contaminated with nuts due to poor storage and ineffective cleaning. The decision to prosecute the restaurant was taken.

Faruk Ahmed, a director of the business who also works in the kitchen admitted seven food safety offences at Newcastle magistrates court. He was fined £787, ordered to pay a £135 victim surcharge and £85 legal costs.

Mohammed Ali Shamsed, the food business operator and restaurant manager, who also pleaded guilty to seven food safety offences was fined £295, ordered to pay a £118 victim surcharge and £85 legal costs.

The business Rasika Sandhill Ltd also pleaded guilty to seven food safety offences and was fined £800, ordered to pay a £320 victim surcharge and £1,000 in legal costs.

In mitigation the court heard, both men, who have 30 years of experience in catering, were utterly remorseful. They were extremely worried, and Mr Ali had had sleepless nights. This was the first incident of its kind, and they were very concerned about their customers.

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