Walsall takeaway fined for falsely selling meals containing peanuts

An undercover officer visited Hot Chilli, in the Leamore area, in 2018 and explained that she had a peanut allergy and asked the restaurant if they could supply a curry made without them.

The officer was assured that no peanuts were used on the premises – but after the meals were analysed they were all found to contain more than enough peanut to cause a severe and potentially fatal reaction to someone with an allergy.

Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court heard that after the first two test purchases the owner of Hot Chili, Joynal Islam, received guidance and advice from trading standards – but court proceedings were brought when he continued to make false promises.

One sample that was tested, a lamb korma dish, that had been described as peanut free was found to contain 11 times more than the safe level of peanut protein, the court heard.

Islam also falsely described the presence of almond on his menu and failed to display a notice advising customers to ask a staff member for allergen information, which is required by law.

Islam pleaded guilty to the five charges against him and landed a court bill totalling £2,965. Hot Chilli has since changed its name to Ruchi.

Councillor Garry Perry, Walsall Council's cabinet member for public protection, said: "Trading standards work hard to ensure the safety of our residents and where a trader fails to comply with regulations it is essential that prosecution takes place and the law enforced.

"Despite continuously being given warnings, Mr Islam has ignored the advice given and has now paid for not following the law."