Member Article

Training for food providers to prevent fatal allergic reactions

FOOD producers and outlets are being urged to undertake training so they’re legally compliant with new European legislation and avoid being hit with significant fines or closure.

Restaurants, pubs, fast food take aways, cafes, sandwich shops and facilities which offer food as part of their services, for example nurseries, hospitals and conference centres, must follow guidelines set out in the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation Act.

The act relates to the listing of 14 allergens including nuts, wheat, molluscs, cereals, glutens and eggs and has been amended in an attempt to reduce the number of fatal allergic reactions in the UK each year.

While every business which is affected by the changes in legislation is being given a warning before they are fined, they are recommended to undertake the training now to avoid falling foul of the law.

Peterlee company KF Training is working with food producers, outlets and providers across the region and is also training local authority enforcement officers so they know exactly what to look for when they visit premises.

Michelle Watson, Senior Business Development Manager at KF Training, said: “In the past these regulations only affected food suppliers but now, with the changes in legislation which come into practice this month, every business which sells or provides food as part of their overall service must now display the 14 allergens clearly.

“The number of cases of people suffering severe allergic reactions from food they’ve eaten is very high so these changes to the law have been introduced to reduce the number of people ending up seriously ill or worse, suffering fatal reactions.”

KF Training, which is based at Whitehouse Business Park, is offering training through the Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance, which puts businesses through one day of classroom-based training to complete the Level 3 Award in Food Allergens.

Michelle added: “We are urging businesses to undertake this training now so they don’t risk being fined or even closed down. Trading Standards and Environmental Health will be conducting visits to any premises which sell or provide food once this legislation comes into force and while there will be a period of grace to allow businesses to get themselves compliant, it’s not worth taking that chance.”

Other foods which must be clearly displayed are fish, celery, soy beans, peanuts, mustard, sesame and preservatives found in dry fruit.

The changes to the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation Act comes into force on December 13.

To find out more about the training contact Michelle on email michelle.watson@kftraining.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leanne English .