The new guidance aims to strike a balance, ensuring allergen information is readily available while also allowing businesses to adopt methods that best suit their operations, offering flexibility in how they communicate this information.
UKHospitality (UKH) played a significant role in the development of this guidance, emphasising the need for adaptable approaches across the hospitality sector.
The guidance highlighted while written allergen information should always be accessible, dialogue between staff and customers about their specific needs was also extremely important.
Flexible approach
UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls emphasised the importance of allergen management for hospitality businesses: “Allergen management remains one of the biggest priorities for hospitality businesses.”
She added: “As a sector we go to great lengths to ensure our teams are trained and information is available to ensure that every customer with an allergy feels comfortable and safe eating out.”
Nicholls also highlighted the necessity of flexibility, noting: “Flexibility is critical, as is a common sense approach to implementing the guidance.
“Businesses will already have written allergen information available, but some may prefer a digital format, for example, and those decisions are best made by venues who know what will work for them.”
Business needs
Nicholls further highlighted the positive aspects of the FSA considering the practical realities of the industry as part of the new guidance.
She also praised recognition of the importance of “conversations” between hospitality staff and customers when it comes to allergens.
Nicholls commented: “Being able to manage allergens safely in a way that works for each business is absolutely essential and was one of the key pillars of our engagement in this process.”
