Loophole ‘kept ingredients off the label’

PRET A Manger exploited a loophole meant to help small sandwich shops by leaving the ingredients off the baguette that killed Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, a coroner heard yesterday.

Dr Sean Cummings, presiding over Natasha’s inquest, found it ‘strange’ that the food giant adhered to the same rules as a local trader.

The inquest at West London Coroner’s Court heard how food safety regulations let firms that produce food on site provide less allergen labelling than factory-made products.

Pret A Manger, which makes sandwiches in store, is required to make customers aware of allergens but can do so ‘orally’ – by displaying signs directing customers to a member of staff. Bridget Saunders, food safety officer at Hillingdon Council, which covers Heathrow where Natasha bought the baguette, told the inquest that the regulation was made ‘to deal with small, independent high street premises’.

She added: ‘The regulations make no distinction with Pret, with their huge turnover.’

Dr Cummings expressed concern that the loophole was being used by large businesses, saying: ‘A cynic might think it was almost a device to get around regulations relating to identifying food allergens.’

Pret has changed its labelling since Natasha’s death so that each sandwich now has a shelf ticket listing the allergens it contains.