Boy needed emergency treatment after meal at Trocadero cafe where gluten-free food rules were breached

"A seven-year-old boy needed emergency treatment after eating a burger at London's iconic Trocadero where staff did not know the rules for serving up gluten-free food, a court has heard. The boy's medical emergency was suspected to be linked to the Rascal Burger he ate during a visit to the Rainforest Cafe in October 2021. Inspectors from Westminster city council went to visit the venue, on Shaftesbury Avenue, and found a series of health and safety failings."

"Southwark crown court heard staff at the eatery did not understand how to properly serve up safe gluten-free food, regular and gluten free-burger buns were stacked together risking cross-contamination, and staff training and record-keeping were not up to scratch. On Friday, Judge Tony Baumgartner imposed a 45,000 fine on Trocadero (London) Hotel Limited, a company involved in the running of the cafe."

"Inspectors found operators had failed to comply with mandatory hygiene practices for gluten free products, despite offering gluten free food. There were no procedures to identify, eliminate, and reduce hazards. The judge said notices of improvement were issued to the cafe, including an order for food handlers at the cafe to be given proper training on adequate hygiene procedures and policies."

A seven-year-old suffered an anaphylactic reaction after eating a Rascal Burger at the Rainforest Cafe in October 2021. Westminster City Council inspectors found multiple health and safety failings at the Shaftesbury Avenue venue, including staff ignorance of proper gluten-free handling, stacked regular and gluten-free buns risking cross-contamination, and inadequate training and record-keeping. Inspectors concluded operators failed to comply with mandatory hygiene practices and lacked procedures to identify and reduce hazards. Trocadero (London) Hotel Limited was fined £45,000 and issued notices requiring proper food handler training and improved hygiene procedures. The cafe failed a follow-up inspection in December 2021; a director later ordered urgent kitchen cleaning and procedural improvements.

Read at www.standard.co.uk