Soho House investigates alleged mislabelling of out-of-date food

Soho House has launched an investigation after a former employee alleged that out-of-date food was relabelled in the kitchen of its Shoreditch House venue in London. The former employee published a video on TikTok claiming that staff changed labels and sold out-of-date food to customers. He also said he had complained internally and later reported the matter to Hackney council after he believed insufficient action had been taken.

A Soho House spokesperson apologised for the incident and described it as isolated. The company said the employee’s contract had ended for reasons unrelated to his complaint, while confirming that its director of health and safety and an external independent consultant were investigating. Hackney council said it had received and was reviewing a health and safety complaint relating to Shoreditch House.

A council spokesperson said an investigation into food safety and hygiene had been opened. The former employee alleged that he had been pressured to change labels to conceal food that was out of date. The source material does not establish whether food past its use-by date was sold or whether customers were harmed.

Food past its use-by date cannot legally be sold, while food beyond its best-before date may be sold if it remains of acceptable quality, according to the report. Commercial kitchens have a legal duty to ensure that food served is safe and fit for consumption. Soho House said Shoreditch House had consistently received the highest food hygiene rating of five from environmental health inspections, including the most recent inspection in March.

It also said the venue performed strongly in an unannounced external audit the previous week. The company operates private members’ clubs and charges up to £4,500 a year for membership. The investigation and council review remain ongoing.