COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A chip shop owner has been fined after a customer suffered severe burns to her mouth and throat and spent three days in hospital.



The customer was taken ill after being served a vinegar that is labelled as “pure acetic acid” at Leamington Fish Bar by an untrained member of staff.

The Fish Bar’s owner, Ali Varvil, the sole director of Spa Catering Ltd of Tavistock Street, pleaded guilty to one offence of failing to protect a member of the public from being exposed to risks to their health or safety.

He was fined £510 at Leamington Magistrates’ Court on September 10 and also ordered to pay £3,440 towards the prosecution costs of Warwick District Council.

The court heard that in the early hours of July 19 2014, an employee of Spa Catering Ltd gave a customer “Malteen Condiment Essence” to try, advising her that it was “strong” vinegar.

Malteen Condiment Essence is labelled as “pure acetic acid” and is corrosive until diluted.

Shortly after consuming the Condiment Essence, the customer became unwell and began to vomit. An ambulance was called and the customer was admitted to hospital.

She remained in hospital for three days, receiving treatment for corrosive chemical burns to her mouth and oesophagus.

An investigation by Warwick District Council Officers revealed that that none of the shop staff had been appropriately trained in the dilution procedure for the Condiment Essence.

This lack of training meant that the staff member did not recognise that it was a hazardous and corrosive chemical which would cause serious injury if ingested.

Coun Moira-Ann Grainger, portfolio holder for health and community protection, said: “Warwick District Council works with businesses to allow them to effectively protect their staff and members of the public from risks to their health and safety.

“Where there is evidence that a business has failed to meet acceptable standards and placed persons at risk we will take enforcement action.”

Is “Acetic Acid” the Same Thing as Vinegar?

No. The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes that diluted acetic acid is not vinegar, indicating that it is:

“misleading if the labeling of a food in which acetic acid is used implies or suggests that the food contains or was not prepared with vinegar. Acetic acid should not be substituted for vinegar in pickled foods, which consumers customarily expect to be prepared with vinegar.”