Hidden allergens found in Lancashire cafe and takeaway meals

Tests on foods sold in cafes and takeaways over the last four years found one in five contained allergens they were said to be free from, a council heard.

Lancashire County Council's cabinet also heard that tests of 290 food samples in the last year found 52 were not as advertised.

Allergens could have caused dangerous reactions, the cabinet was told.

Councillors were also told several firms had been taken to court.

The meeting was told that 18% of the county's food premises had failed what were known as reserved descriptions tests.

These are carried out to make sure the labelling of food products is accurate.

Councillors were told that anything labelled as a beef burger must contain at least 62% beef, and an economy beef burger must be made up of at least 47% of the meat that gives the item its name. 

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing Michael Green said any "adverse results" from food samples taken in Lancashire are followed up by trading standards and the food business concerned is offered "advice and support".

"A business not showing adequate improvements may then be subject to a full investigation and potential enforcement action," he said.

He said allergen labelling was a "key priority due to the obvious safety concerns and consequences should a food business get it wrong".

He told the meeting several businesses had been successfully prosecuted, with costs of over £5,600 being awarded against them.

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