How to safely manage food allergens

An allergen is a substance that causes the body's immune system to react as though the substance is harmful.

If you are running a food business, you must be aware of the risks posed by food allergens. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) provides Allergen guidance for food businesses as well as a list of the 14 allergens.

The Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR) requires every food business to know what allergens are present in their foods, and to provide that information to their customers.

If you prepare and produce food to order for your customers, you will need to provide them with accurate details about the allergens present in their food. If you produce packaged food, you will have to provide this information on an ingredients list attached to the packaging.

The FSA's Food allergy and intolerance provides information on what you need to consider for your business to be fully legally compliant.

To help further, the FSA also provide online allergy training There are other training providers who are able to offer online or face to face training.