Operators; in order to become Allergen Accredited- will need to go through various stages in order to become accredited and listed accordingly adopting new policies on ingredient purchasing, production, staff training and menu information availability to consumers coupled with Allergen Advisors on duty to meet the demands of inquiring customers. On inspection Allergen Accredited premises will be far more ready and
Training your staff about food allergies and the implications that the new law can have on your business must be a priority. Indeed, where anyone in your establishment has contact with foods and beverages an amount of training will be essential.
Food allergens require careful management as do all perishable consumables in a food (and drink) business outlet.
FBO’s (Food Business Operators) need to identify what level of allergen training is needed for each member of staff, dependent on their handling duties.
The 14 top allergens and where they occur in the business.
A key member of staff could be your receptionist or head office staff who receives calls from people with food allergies who are enquiring about the menu you offer. Remember any advice that you provide to people enquiring must be free of charge.
For example: If we treat allergens as we would for raw meat, we ensure that this is kept in a sealed, labelled container. Equipment for raw meat is sanitised before being used for other products - the same goes for allergens. In some cases equipment could well be dedicated to a certain food group as a result of you not being able to confirm 100% that any cross contamination has occurred.
BUT - as a Food Business Operator, if you are in any doubt about a drink or food product you are serving or selling you must inform the customer honestly and concisely.
It is not just about allergy avoidance, but heightened safe food and drink management. FBO’s will consider selling gluten free or general free from foods. So long as you have verified the source or cooking method and are fully satisfied with its authenticity then sell it, but sell it safely.
If your company provides training to food service operators Allergen Accreditation can provide you with our framework for operators to become accredited. This can then be used as part of your training delivery.
Your people make the difference in your business, and nowhere is this more important than in keeping customers safe with our Allergen training, rated top-notch by Allergen Accreditation.
Food Service Allergen Management Limited
Allergies are on the increase; indeed they have risen sharply over the last 20 years for reasons that are unclear. Around 1 in 100 people suffer with coeliac disease. With children under the age of 3- one in 14 has one or more food allergies. Whereas children do grow out of some allergies some 4 out of 5 children with peanut allergies continue this into adult life. It is established practice that foods and beverages that are packaged detail ingredients as well as highlight, or separately detail, allergens that are included in the product.
Since December 2014, the law has changed regarding food outlets and allergens. Your business could be fined if you do not comply to allergy legislation.
“This is the step by step process that has been designed to assist any type of catering and hospitality business in the UK and EU to comply with the new EU FIC 1169/2011 Law from 13
welcomes initiatives like this to achieve greater understanding of food allergens and how to provide allergen information to the consumer to help them make safer food choices.”
In order to meet the needs of people with allergies AND remain within the EU Law- Food Business Operator's (FBO's) need to ensure they have the correct Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) in place to ensure a consistent legal approach.
Allergen Accreditation provides the Benchmark for operators to develop their KPI's, systems and procedures for managing the new legislation as well as Full Allergen Disclosure. It provides support and useful links and provides the operator with a nationally recognised accreditation that they are Allergy Aware.
