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The owner of a Blackwood pub has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after being prosecuted for breaching food allergen regulations.

The Rock Pub Bed and Breakfast, on Tredegar Road, has been run by husband and wife Paul and Jennifer Taylor for 16 years.

Mr Taylor was taken to court for failing to provide allergen information following an investigation by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team.

The council said it received a complaint from a member of the public who has a milk allergy. It was alleged that Mr Taylor had refused to provide allergen information to the individual when they visited in August last year.

Council officers inspected the premises and gave Mr Taylor a formal warning, as well as guidance and advice.

In November last year, officers returned and carried out a test purchase. When they asked for dairy allergen information, Mr Taylor is said to have refused to provide it.

He referred them to a disclaimer on his menu which stated ‘We are unable to cater for customers with food allergies’.

The council said Mr Taylor had chosen to ignore its warning, but Mr Taylor has argued he was following Food Standards Agency guidance by providing the disclaimer.

When asked by Caerphilly Observer what the pub had done wrong, Mr Taylor said: “We couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be any cross-contamination due to operating out of a tiny kitchen.

“I made that clear to the council and I’ve since reworded our signage to show that we can’t be blamed for it, in line with Food Standard Agency (FSA) guidelines.”

The FSA encourages restaurants to avoid cross-contamination when it can, it also states: “If you can’t avoid cross-contamination in food preparation, you should inform customers that you can’t provide an allergen-free dish.”

The 71-year-old pleaded guilty by writing and was fined £293 for the offence. He was told to pay £1,879.70 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £117 by Cwmbran Magistrates on Thursday September 14.

Mrs Taylor also spoke to Caerphilly Observer, and said the prosecution had taken “a huge toll” on her mental health.

She said: “All of our customers have agreed this has been completely unnecessary.

“We’ve paid all the money and just want to move on, but it’s been a stressful ordeal.”

Cllr Philippa Leonard, cabinet member for public protection said: “Food business operators have a legal obligation to provide clear and accurate allergen information for the foods they serve.

“It is not a choice, it is fundamental to protect the health, safety and well-being of those living with food allergies, intolerances or coeliac disease.

“If anyone is concerned about a business not providing food allergen information, or if you are a business requiring advice in relation to food allergens, please contact Trading Standards.”