Food Businesses Need Allergy Policy In Place, Council Warns

Food businesses in Powys need to make sure they have a working allergy policy in place, the county council has warned. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council’s Trading Standards Service has issued the warning following the prosecution of a north Yorkshire trader, who was jailed for six years for the manslaughter of a customer who had an allergic reaction to a dish purchased at their premises. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr John Powell, Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, said: “The consequences of not operating a thorough allergy policy in your food business can have life-changing ramifications. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“No matter what type of food business you run, whether you are a food manufacturer or operate a takeaway food outlet, having a clear and robust allergy policy is vital. Businesses that fail to comply with the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Information Regulations 2014 may face prosecution which can result in a large fine or even a prison sentence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I would urge any food business to contact our Trading Standards Service if they need help to understand what they need to do.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

To help Powys businesses comply with the regulations, the service is offering all Powys food businesses the opportunity to attend an allergy training day. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​