At the end of 2014, new legislation will come into force that will require food businesses to provide allergy information on food sold unpackaged, in for example restaurants and cafes, deli counters, bakeries and sandwich bars.
Optimum Control Software includes a module for tracking allergen ingredients through the kitchen production chain. Most importantly, a report can be printed that can be held front of house, which gives service staff the details they need to provide the full, accurate information to customers who ask questions about the allergen content of products. This protects the business against inadvertently giving inaccurate and potentially fatal advice.
Allergen information can be supplied on the menu, on chalk boards, tickets or provided verbally by service staff as well as in other formats made available to the consumer. It must be clear and conspicuous, not hidden away, easily visible, and legible. If the information is to be provided verbally by a member of staff then it must be clear that the information can be obtained by asking a member of staff on a notice, menu, ticket or label that can easily be seen by customers.
It is no longer enough for a food business operator to say that they do not know whether or not a food contains an allergen and deny any knowledge, nor is it enough to say that all their foods may contain allergens. For example, it will not be acceptable to post a notice that says “our food may contain nuts”. Allergen information must be specific to the food, complete and accurate. This also applies to food pre-packed for direct sale, such as from take-aways, deli counters, bakeries or sandwich bars.
In order to provide completely up to date information a waiter can immediately access Optimum Control to check the latest recipes and the ingredients of all products that are on the menu. Alternatively, a report can be printed that can be held front of house. Optimum Control’s Allergen list gives service staff all the information they need in a handy alphabetical format.
Remember, if staff really do not know the answer to a customer’s question they must say so and never guess!
The 14 Allergens that must be tracked:
| Gluten | Crustaceans | Eggs |
| Fish | Peanuts | Soybeans |
| Milk | Nuts | Celery |
| Mustard | Sesame | Sulphur Dioxide / Sulphites |
| Lupin | Molluscs |
The Food Information Regulations 2013 (DRAFT*) Guide to compliance
*Publication of final document is expected October 2013.
Optimum Control Catering Software
T:01566 779470 E:info@optimumcontrol.co.uk W:www.optimumcontrol.co.uk