Mediterranean Pizza, a takeaway in School Road, Yardley Wood, has been fined £4,000 after staff were unable to describe allergens and ingredients in the food they sold. The case was heard at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 13, where the company faced two breaches of the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations 2013.
The company did not attend the hearing, and the charges were proven in their absence. The first charge related to failing to provide accurate information about 14 prescribed ingredients that could cause allergies or intolerances. The second concerned the failure to make information about relevant foods available. Both offences occurred between September and November last year.
Council officers found poor allergen knowledge
Kate Symms, prosecuting for Birmingham City Council, said officers had previously visited the premises in 2024 and found poor knowledge of food allergens. At that time, guidance and advice were given to rectify the issues. However, during a revisit in September 2025, officers requested information on a pizza and a donner burger, but staff could not explain the allergens or ingredients.
An improvement notice was served, and the council entered into dialogue with the director, who complied with officers during the process. However, Symms noted that "the offences had already been committed."
Public health risk highlighted
Symms stated: "This causes a risk to public health. The potential for an allergic reaction is serious. There is some mitigation, the defendant did co-operate with officers but they had failed to put standards in place."
The magistrates imposed a £4,000 fine, a £1,600 surcharge, and prosecution costs of £1,937.35. The total financial penalty amounts to £7,537.35, which must be paid by the company.
