Restaurant apology after customer falls ill following nut allergy 'error'

A YOUNG woman ended up in hospital after going into anaphylaxis after one of Cardiff's most popular restaurants served her nut oil, despite being aware of her potentially lethal allergy.

- CONOR GOGARTY Investigations editor [e-mail]

Carla was visiting the Welsh capital to celebrate her boyfriend’s graduation, and dinner at Maison De Boeuf in Castle Arcade was part of these plans. On July 16 the 21-year-old, from Bristol, said she sat down for dinner and was given an onion tart starter that contained nut oil, despite her telling the waiter that she had a life-threatening nut allergy.

According to the restaurant, Carla was served by a manager, as is its policy when someone discloses an allergy.

Carla informed the restaurant staff she was allergic to dairy and shellfish, and that she carries EpiPens - a type of epinephrine auto-injector used to treat severe allergic reactions - for her nut allergy.

Carla said: “I, of course, told the waiter [about my allergy] as soon as I was handed my menu. ‘The waiter listened and took time to go through the menu with me to tell me what I could and couldn't have. I was offered an onion tart that was not on the menu but I was told they serve it all the time as a vegan option, and the manager assured me it was free of all of my allergens.

“When it came I had a few bites and within one minute my throat started to get itchy, which is the first sign for me that I am having an allergic reaction.

“At this point I naturally stopped eating, had some water and took an antihistamine. I had one more bite as I was not 100% sure it was my allergy, as I had been reassured by the manager that it did not contain any of my allergens, then I suddenly felt really unwell.”

Carla recalled starting to feel “really faint, hot and sweaty” before “passing out” at the table.

“[I started] projectile vomiting all over myself. My boyfriend went up to the restaurant staff and said, ‘please call an ambulance,” she claimed.

‘At this point, Carla claimed, she was in anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that happens very quickly and can result in death without treatment.