14/08/2026
A restaurant has been ordered to pay more than £8,000 after two dairy-free oat milk cappuccinos were lab tested and found to contain milk proteins at levels that could have caused allergic reactions in people with a milk allergy.
Following an investigation by Durham County Council, local authority officers purchased the drinks on two separate occasions, first in August 2024 and again in May 2025. On both occasions, laboratory tests found milk protein in drinks that were being sold as dairy-free.
After the first incident, the business introduced new allergen procedures and staff training. However, when officers returned several months later, the same issue was identified again. The company later told the court it did not know how the milk proteins had become present at the levels detected.
This is an important reminder that allergen safety depends on more than having a policy in place. It requires robust systems, effective staff training and consistent procedures that are understood and followed every single time.
For people living with food allergies, ordering food or drink means placing their trust in someone else to get it right. That trust should never be taken lightly.
Everyone should be able to eat and drink with confidence.
