Case 396 – Cafe refuses to sell untoasted fruit bread

Issue

Supermarket cafe refused to sell customer a packet of fruit bread for health and safety reasons as he didn’t want it toasted before taking it home.

Panel opinion

There is nothing in health and safety at work legislation that prevents the sale of fruit bread nor should there have been a food labelling issue here. It is a pity that a “health and safety” excuse was used to refuse such a simple request. This appears to be a case of poor staff training resulting in a very disappointed customer.