Gousto Packager Barbara Lisowska Dismissed for Eating Stolen Peanuts at Warrington Plant

A food packager for Gousto, the recipe box firm, was dismissed for gross misconduct in May 2024 after an employment tribunal heard she consumed peanuts stolen from the factory floor. Barbara Lisowska, 65, was fired for breaching health and safety regulations, specifically regarding the danger posed to customers with food allergies.

Lisowska had contested her dismissal, claiming she could not eat peanuts due to dentures and alleging racial discrimination and harassment linked to her health and language barrier. However, CCTV footage presented at the Manchester hearing showed her eating the nuts at her station within the Warrington, Cheshire plant on 12 April 2024.

The footage reportedly showed Lisowska eating at her workstation, concealing an item up her sleeve, and then disposing of something in a bin. Empty Gousto-owned peanut tubs were subsequently discovered in the same bin. An employment judge rejected her claim for unfair dismissal, despite Lisowska's assertions that her sacking was part of a discriminatory pattern.