Allergen alert changes - just 3 days to go!

With just 3 days to go until the new allergen alert regulations come into force (see 'Allergen alert! An important reminder and update') it is being widely reported today that:

• Only one third of F&B managers are ready and prepared for the changes
• One fifth of businesses admitted to having no plans in place to meet the new requirements
• Almost half of F&B managers (47%) said they were "uncertain" about arrangements even though they have some plans in place, but added that it's a game of chance in terms of how they plan to manage the changes going forward
• Only 5% of F&B managers have no concerns at all about the changing regulations
• Just one third of licensees were able to name the 14 allergens but some 60% had undertaken additional staff training in anticipation of the changes (according to a limited M&C poll)

A reminder that all food businesses must be able to identify to customers which dishes contain any of the 14 specified allergens (see link above for detail) either through accurate written information provided to customers or by signposting clear instructions explaining how they can obtain that information from staff - as from 13 December.

Source: Caternet (as reported in the M&C Report and the Caterer)