The UK’s Birmingham City Council has ordered the African Village restaurant in Birchfield Road, Perry Barr, to stop serving food to people with food allergies.

The council gave this order following an incident that resulted in the hospitalisation of a diner.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

According to the council, the affected customer has an allergy to foods that contain either peanut or fish ingredients and therefore ordered an allergen-free meal.

The diner consumed the meal after the restaurant assured that it was allergen-free. However, he suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction and was hospitalised.

Following an investigation, environmental health officers identified that the restaurant lacks knowledge in relation to food allergens. The officials also found that there were many areas where food could be cross-contaminated by these products.

Birmingham City Council environmental health head Mark Croxford said: “As there is an imminent risk to the health for people who have allergies, for the first time in Birmingham, environmental health officers successfully applied to the magistrates’ court for an emergency order.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“This prevents the business from serving food to anyone who states they have an allergy. As the business does not pose a risk to everyone, it has not been formally closed and can trade as usual for everyone else.”

The council will continue the ban until the restaurant demonstrates that it can offer allergen-free meals.

Commenting on the action taken against the restaurant chain, Birmingham City Council Councillor Philip Davis said: “I fully support the actions of my team to protect customers of food businesses in Birmingham. All food businesses need to take this matter seriously.

“I urge all businesses to be honest with customers and if they are asked for an allergen-free meal and they are not 100% certain they can provide one, that they tell the customer the truth and do not take any risks.”