Allergen advice for operators
Hannah Jacobs of Barking, east London, died within hours of consuming the drink on 8 February 2023 after it was made with cows’ milk instead of soya.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) head of incidents and resilience Darren Whitby said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Hannah Jacobs and to all those who have lost loved ones because of food allergies.
“We are aware of the inquest and will be monitoring this closely. It is essential people can confidently buy and consume food without worry and we will be carefully considering any points raised during the inquest.”
The organisation has advice for operators in order to stop the spread of allergens. The Morning Advertiser has taken a look at the best ways for operators to avoid outbreaks and tackle the spread of allergens.
In order to ensure safety regulations are effectively upheld, food business operators must:
- provide allergen information to the consumer for both prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink
- handle and manage food allergens effectively in food preparation.
It has also reported food businesses must ensure staff are appropriately trained on allergens. The agency provides free food allergy training and an allergen checklist for pointers and tips on food allergy best-practice. The FSA explained the 14 different types of allergens. In order to ensure each one is appropriately deterred, it has comprised the following advice:
Food businesses
It can also be communicated verbally, with written notice placed in a clearly visible position explaining how customers can obtain this information.
When allergen information is verbally provided for a customer, the FSA reported it can also be ‘backed up by written information' in order to ensure it is accurate and consistent.
Buffet offer
If buffet food is offered, according to the agency, allergen advice should be provided on each individual food item separately, it should not be supplied for the entire buffet. All allergen-related information should be appropriately signposted and labelled with allergen advice clearly visible for customers.
Delivery and takeaway food
Allergen advice and information should be provided at two separate stages in the order process, if food is sold online or by phone.
Allergen information should be available to a customer in written form at a point between a customer placing the order and then taking delivery of it.
Takeaway meals should also be labelled clearly so customers know which dishes are suitable for those with allergies.
Allergen ingredient recording
The FSA also provides allergen ingredient templates in order to offer advice, stating the main allergen ingredients information should be:
- Recorded on product specification sheets
- Included on ingredients labels and ingredients should be kept in original or labelled containers
- Included in recipes or explanations of the dishes provided- you need to consider the impact when the recipes change
- Ingredient information is up to date.
Avoiding cross-contamination
Cross contamination can be prevented in order to protect customers with food allergies. According to the FSA, there are a number of actions that can taken in order to stop cross-contamination with allergens. These methods include:
- Ensuring all utensils are clean before each usage, specifically if used to prepare meals containing allergens
- Washing hands efficiently in between preparing items with and without allergens
- Effectively storing ingredients and prepared foods separately within closed and also labelled containers
- Making sure ingredients containing allergens are kept separately from other ingredients
- According to the agency, allergen cross-contamination can also occur when using the same cooking oil
- If cross-contamination in food preparation cannot be avoided, customers should also be notified that an allergen-free dish is not available.
Enforcement and penalties
Enforcement and penalties vary when dealing with allergens. According to the agency, both financial and reputational damages could be faced if the above advice is not efficiently followed.
Action from local authorities could also be implemented if operators fail to comply with guidelines.
Additionally, according to the agency, an improvement notice may also be issued if operators fail to act on advice provided by local authorities. If the expectations of this notice are then not met, an appropriate penalty will then be issued as a result.
Business owners have at least 14 days to appeal an improvement notice from the date the notice was issued and in certain cases, businesses may also encounter prosecution.
