Council continues robust allergen checks as new sampling results prompt further action

Food from businesses across the district continues to be tested for allergens as part of Lancaster City Council’s work to protect residents and visitors with food allergies.

In the latest round of testing, food safety officers ordered meals covertly from 19 establishments, while declaring allergies and later submitting the dishes for laboratory analysis for seven major allergens - milk (casein), peanuts, soya, celery, crustaceans, sulphites and gluten.

Six food business produced dishes found to present unacceptable risks to customers with allergies. These businesses are being visited, and officers will work with the owners to support them to improve their practices to ensure their food is safe.

They will also be listed on the council’s Allergen Stop Register, which was launched last year after growing concern from residents with food allergies who needed clearer information about where they could eat safely.

The register lists businesses that have voluntarily declared they cannot cater safely for allergen‑sensitive customers until their procedures improve. Although not a legal sanction, the agreement allows officers to intervene and support businesses in reducing the risk of harm before severe incidents occur.

One of the businesses visited had already been issued with an Allergen Stop Agreement and has been referred to Trading Standards for formal sampling.

Thirteen premises were found to be operating safely and have been written to acknowledging their high standards demonstrated.

Councillor Paul Hart, Lancaster City Council member with responsibility for Environmental Services, said: “Many of our local businesses have high standards to prevent cross contamination and should be commended. Where issues are identified, we act quickly, not to punish businesses, but to safeguard customers and help businesses improve.

“Testing for allergens is not one of our statutory duties, but it is one of the actions our food safety team started conducting to ensure all food is safe, including those for who exposure to an allergen can be life‑threatening.

“After testing commenced, and following feedback from the public, our food safety officers have now increased the number of ingredients they check for to seven.

“Sampling is designed to be targeted, risk‑based, and evidence‑led. As more risks emerge, the testing programme continues to evolve.”

Food businesses remain legally obliged to provide accurate allergen information when asked, and residents with allergies are encouraged to discuss their needs when ordering.

The register of businesses with Stop Agreements is available at: www.lancaster.gov.uk/allergens.

 

Editor’s Note:

The Stop Allergen Risk Register was launched in 2025 and can be viewed on the council’s website.  The register enables residents and visitors to check if a food business has agreed to temporarily stop serving food to people with food allergies.

The purpose of the STOP register is to support businesses, not penalise them.

STOP agreements:

• provide a clear framework for improvement,
• prevent accidental harm to customers,
• reduce the risk of enforcement action following allergic reactions, and
• help businesses avoid reputational damage.

Many businesses have used STOP agreements as an opportunity to improve, retrain staff, and ultimately return to safely serving allergen‑sensitive customers.

Failure to comply with a STOP agreement can lead to formal action being taken.

Businesses only appear on the register when significant risks are identified - and they can be removed as soon as those risks are resolved.

Last updated: 07 May 2026