According to Allergen Accreditation, 2% of the population in the UK has a registered allergy while over 20 million people have intolerances for certain ingredients.
The Allergen Aware Month in Food Service campaign is a pledge from all types of food and beverage businesses to âre-boot their allergen awareness, remind staff to be compliant with the law and refresh their training.â
Information is available for business such as: an allergen aware kitchen checklist; a management checklist with useful free links to allergen information, emergency procedures and best practise recommendations; a resource pack with information on organisations that can help caterers as well as useful tips; and signs that tell customers that they are part of the Allergen Aware Month in Food Service campaign.
In order to launch the campaign Allergen Accreditation has collaborated with the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA), Hospital Caterers Association (HCA), the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), Hotelympia 2018 organisers Fresh Montgomery, National Association of Care Catering (NACC), Anaphylaxis Campaign (AC), Lead Association in Education CAtering in Education (LACA), PS100, the Craft Guild of Chefs to raise awareness.
Andy Jones, chair of the PS100 group said: âMaking people, including caterers, more aware of allergens with campaigns and materiel's like this is essential in ensuring our staff are trained and kept up to date with current issues and legislation. I would urge all in the catering sector not just to use these tools but to share them with othersâ
Neel Radia, national chairman of the National Association of Care Catering added: âThe NACC supports chefs and caterers in the care sector with information, advice and training to ensure they can confidently and safely manage food allergens. We therefore welcome any industry activity, like Allergen Accreditationâs initiative, that raises awareness and understanding and offers further support.â
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