Allergies are life changing and can be fatal. It’s therefore essential to raise awareness – and nowhere more essential than in the foodservice sector.
Food Allergy Aware (www.fatc.co.uk) has brought our attention to the fact that it’s Allergy Awareness Week 2014 next week, and The Food Standards Agency (FSA) are working with Allergy UK, the Anaphylaxis Campaign and Coeliac UK this year, to help spread awareness about food allergies, food intolerances and coeliac disease.
Food allergies and intolerances in the UK
Food allergies, intolerances and coeliac disease are thought to affect at least three million people in the UK, and in severe cases can be life threatening or result in death. The UK is one of the top three countries in the world for the highest incidence of allergy, and hospital admissions due to food allergies in the UK increased by 500% between 1990 and 2007. There is also cost to the UK economy, in terms of lost work days, due to illness related to allergy and intolerance.
FSA information and guidance
You can download FSA publications that are relevant to food service businesses and contain information and guidance about food allergies for your business.
Food Allergy Booklet and what you need to know when providing for your customers.
Think Allergy Poster to display on your premises to give awareness to your staff
Visit the FSA campaign page here
Food labelling regulations are on their way
Changes to food labelling regulations are due on 13 December 2014 relating to compulsory labelling of the 14 allergens, which are listed in the Food Information for Consumers (FIC Regulation 1169/2011). ALL catering businesses will need to have a greater knowledge on food allergies and how they are caused.
Want to find out more about these changes? The Institute of Hospitality Sussex Branch are organising an event “Winning the Food Allergy Customer – Does your business comply with the New Food Regulations?” on 19 May 2014 at the Hotel Sofitel London Gatwick Click Here to book your place – open to members and non-members.