UK caterer to pay 415,000 pounds over egg allergy death

A caterer who supplied ras malai dessert containing eggs at a Sikh wedding has been ordered to pay 415,000 pounds to the widow of a man who died from an allergic reaction.

Scientist Kuldip Singh Bhamra, 49, who was allergic to egg, ate the dessert believing it was safe because the wedding banquet was being held in a Gurdwara, where only vegetarian food is served.

Bhamra was aware of his allergy but did not have his adrenalin pens on the day of the wedding. He fell into a coma and died three days later in hospital.

Caterer Prem Dubb, also a Sikh, appealed against a court decision at November 2008 when the damages were awarded.

But three appeal judges upheld the ruling last month and ordered the damages to be paid, along with 36,000 pounds in interest.

Lawyers for Bhamra's widow Amarjit argued that the caterers were negligent in supplying ras malai, which allegedly contained the egg, at the August 2003 wedding at a Ramgarhia Gurdwara in east London.

Satinder Hunjan, the lawyer representing Amarjit Bhamra, had told judges Oct 2009 that eggs were 'strictly forbidden' at the temple.

'The deceased would be entitled in the circumstances to expect that there would not be any egg or egg product in the food which was being served at the temple,' he said.