Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Chains risk lives with patchy allergy advice
Mirror probe highlights worrying gaps
on Italian bread contained the allergen. He replied: “No, there is no sesame in that bread.” But it is in the meat filling.
Correct allergy advice was given at Mcdonald’s in Peckham. But in Newcastle we ordered its Spicy Chicken Wrap. Asked if had celery, the server said “No” and listed the main ingredients.
At Domino’s Pizza in Gateshead, we ordered a Texan BBQ pizza and asked about celery. The assistant did not check the nutrition leaflets and listed toppings.
In Walsall, West Mids, Domino’s staff handed us a booklet to check. At a KFC in the town, correct advice was given. Yet when asked if its Chicken Fillet Tower Burger had celery, a server at its Newcastle branch said: “No, just lettuce.”
The city’s Subway and Nando’s gave correct advice, though Burger King staff there gave incorrect mustard advice on its Crispy Chicken Burger. We were told: “No, no mustard.” Correct information was given at the chain’s Walsall branch.
Greggs was the most careful. Asked if an Oval Bite had sesame, Newcastle and Walsall staff either checked the packet, a nutrition guide or with a colleague.
Subway said: “We take this matter very seriously and are immediately following up with all stores to ensure customers receive accurate information via access to clear information in store”. KFC said: “We try to make allergen information as visible as possible. When asked, our teams are trained to direct customers to full details on tray liners.
“That information is also available on our website or app. We’ll certainly follow up with all of our restaurants.”
Domino’s apologised for its Gateshead team’s mistake, adding: “Allergen information is available via our website, app and also through leaflets in store.” It said celery is in its BBQ sauce, with relevant products listed, with no sesame used.
Burger King UK said: “Communicating allergens clearly is a top priority. We are proactively working with franchisees to reinforce current procedures. We continually review training procedures to ensure allergen standards are upheld.”
Mcdonald’s said: “We recently reminded and reiterated all of our restaurants and crew about procedures.” It said an allergen booklet was available in each branch, with allergy information on its app, ordering systems and tray liners.