Margot Robbie's gin brand, Papa Salt, has been rejected by top London bars and restaurants due to allergen concerns, forcing the actor to reformulate the recipe. The spirit, which uses oyster shells as a botanical, carries a warning stating it contains molluscs, posing a risk to those with shellfish allergies.
London venues cited the need for staff training and potential liability as reasons for refusing to stock the gin. One bar owner told the Guardian: “In order to stock her gin, we would have to train all our staff to ask guests if they have a shellfish allergy when they ordered a G&T. It is simply not worth the time or the risk.” A restaurant manager added: “We are dealing with enough at the moment, it is a tough time for restaurants, we don’t want to have to ask people if they are allergic to molluscs when they order a gin.”
Robbie and her husband, Tom Ackerley, personally visited venues to promote the gin but were rebuffed. A spokesperson for Robbie confirmed the gin is being reformulated after feedback, with an oyster-free version expected to reach the UK market by the end of 2026. The gin is still marketed as featuring Australian botanicals like wattleseed, wax flower, and oyster shell.
Spirits experts noted that the oyster shells contribute minimal flavour. Greg Dillon of Great Drams said: “Oyster shells are mostly calcium carbonate. When crushed and used for filtration they can slightly soften a spirit by interacting with acids and impurities. In practice the effect on flavour is minimal.” Richard Legg, a spirits consultant, explained that UK food regulations exempt most spirits from declaring allergens, but not distillates of molluscs, meaning the allergen warning is required.
Papa Salt launched in the UK in 2024 and is stocked in Harvey Nichols and Waitrose, which warn of the allergen. A brand spokesperson said: “This kind of feedback is vital to the growth of the brand and that’s why in 2025 Papa Salt made the decision to remove oyster shells from the recipe.” Robbie had previously said she “couldn’t wait” to see the gin in her local London bar.
