News

Allergy reminder to county food outlets

Published

10 years ago

June 14, 2016

Guilty: Mohammed Zaman

FOOD BUSINESSES in the county are being reminded of the need to take food allergies seriously and to provide accurate allergen information about the ingredients in the meals they serve to customers.

The warning comes from Pembrokeshire County Council following a high-profile court case in England earlier this week.

Mohammed Zaman was jailed for six years for manslaughter after customer Paul Wilson suffered a severe anaphylactic shock after eating a takeaway containing nuts from Zaman’s restaurant in North Yorkshire.

Mr Wilson had a peanut allergy and while ‘no nuts’ was written on the lid of his takeaway container, the meal did contain nuts and subsequently caused his death.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Huw George, emphasised the legal responsibility on all food businesses to provide correct allergen information.

“This case shows how very important it is for all businesses to train their staff, to check that they understand the training and that everyone working there puts it into practice consistently” said Councillor George.

“Anyone who might buy different ingredients to those normally used, or who might make changes to standard recipes, must have adequate food allergy awareness training to ensure that they understand the risks and how they must be controlled.

“Ingredients should not be decanted into unlabelled containers, and all staff need to know which ingredients and dishes contain allergens or have a reliable way of finding out.

“‘Groundnuts’ are peanuts, and should be labelled as such.”

Councillor George continued: “People die from food allergies so it’s crucial that food businesses talk to their customers about their requirements.

“Even if food is sold loose, or by catering businesses, allergen information must be provided in writing, although this can be done using a notice which tells customers that the information is available if they ask.

“If a business takes orders by phone, they are required to ask their customers whether they have any food allergies, and provide written information about the ingredients used.

“Effective communication is critical and care should be taken if there might be any difficulties in this respect, for example due to different languages being spoken.”

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Food Safety team have been providing advice to food businesses about the law since 2014. It remains a key focus during food premises inspections and when advising new businesses startingup.

Relevant information and advice is freely available to all businesses via the Council’s website at: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/foodlawadvice.

The website also includes further details on the ‘business advice service’, available to new and existing businesses, to support compliance with a range of food safety and standards requirements.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.