9 December – Day 9 of Away in Pret A Manger adVENT Calendar 2020

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In 2016 a customer in New York suffered an anaphylactic shock from a Pret product containing unlabelled sesame. He went to court and he lost. The court document shows how tricky it is when different countries have different laws on different allergens.

Example: The UK and Europe have the 14 allergens listed compared to the U.S that has only 8 listed by law.

In the U.S. sesame does NOT have to be listed, but in Canada it has to. The Unites States 8 allergen – versus – the 14 in Europe.

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Link

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Pret won the case, yet it did not give them any urgency to change into labelling their products.

One poignant reminder of the lack of former CEO Clive Schlee’s care nor knowledge shows in a reply from Schlee to an open letter from one of many customers’ complaints and warnings:

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Account doesn’t exist anymore.

Last part of Schlee’s response, quote:

“You also make a good point about allergen information. To be honest, I’m not exactly sure how to respond. I think you are telling us to train our staff better. I can’t argue with that. I think you are telling us to treat allergen more seriously. Again, fair point. Is there anything else you would specifically like [u]s to do?”

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Clive Schlee was informed, warned about and complained to many times about starting to label Pret products.

Another sesame reaction:

13 months after Natasha died

Link

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Another sesame reaction of another student that went to court in November 2020

Quote: »The food chain pleaded not guilty to “selling food not of the substance demanded” at Bristol Crown Court on Monday following the incident which reportedly took place on November 26, 2017.«

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Link to Evening Standard article

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I worked at Pret when TWO customers died. I was a Team Leader of the shop floor and among other things responsible for health and safety. But not only were we, was I NOT informed that 2 people have died from allergen in products, but there wasn’t even as much as a HINT to be more diligent, cautious and attentive to labelling and allergen. Nothing!

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse’s mum puts it into her own words:

Link to full report from ITV News

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• How much is a life worth?
• 1 seed of sesame killed a whole human being
• 1 seed had a man lose his case in court for lack of evidence
• 1 seed had others in hospital and court
• Pret set aside £10 million for legal bills
• Clive Schlee was paid £30 million
• How much is a life worth?

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In memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse.

In memory of Celia Marsh.

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I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post.
An incomplete list on what other Pret staff say about Pret’s bullying environment: Caught in the Act Bullying at Pret.
I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review.

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Thank you for reading/listening.

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Interview:

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