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A Bright Idea!

  • austen
  • Oct 2
  • 3 min read

"We’re ‘Wearing it Bright’ to promote Anaphylaxis Awareness Week."


By Georgina Colbeck


We’ve dug out our brightest outfits here at Henry Colbeck to get the message out there! Let’s all brighten up our social media feeds this week to show people with serious allergies that they aren’t alone. Why not join in and help save lives.

This vital week is a timely reminder for to us all in the food industry, about the serious impact food allergies can have on consumers and the vital role each and every one of us play in keeping them safe – from manufacturers, through to suppliers, caterers and food servers, not just today but every day.


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On October 1st 2021 Natasha’s Law was introduced after the death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse from a severe allergic reaction to an undeclared ingredient in a sandwich she purchased. Natasha’s Law has improved food safety and provides transparency, preventing similar tragedies by ensuring that everyone with food allergies can make safe choices.

We were honoured to hear her Father speak at a National Edible Oils Distributors Association event and hear about he and his families continuing work to ‘make allergy history’ through The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (The UK’s Food Allergy Charity).

With more than 2 million people in the UK living with a diagnosed food allergy, and many more undiagnosed, it’s not just good practice to be allergy-aware, it’s a legal responsibility and a matter of customer safety and trust.


Why it matters for fish & chip shops

Fish and chip shops are at the heart of communities, feeding families of all ages. But menus can include some of the UK’s 14 major allergens – fish, gluten, eggs, milk, soy, mustard, and more – which means it’s crucial to have clear processes in place. For someone with an allergy, a single mistake could trigger a reaction as serious as anaphylaxis, which can lead to death.

Building trust with your customers

Allergy safety isn’t just about compliance – it’s about building trust. Customers who feel confident that your shop takes allergies seriously are more likely to return, recommend you, and bring their family and friends along too. By supporting Anaphylaxis Awareness Week, fish and chip shops can show they are not only serving great food but also putting customer care first.


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Allergy-Safe Shop Checklist

Here’s a quick guide for shops to review allergen processes this week:

✅ Menu & signage – Do you have up-to-date allergen information available (menus, digital ordering, posters)?

✅ Staff training – Has every team member been trained on how to handle allergen enquiries and cross-contamination risks?

✅ Communication – Do staff understand the consequences and know to always check ingredients if a customer asks about allergens ( ingredients in recipes can change!).

✅ Do you sell foods that have been pre-packaged for direct sale ( PPDS)? Eg: pre-prepped sandwiches or sauces/condiments pre-prepped in pots? They must show the allergens on the packaging!

✅ Cross-contamination control – Are separate utensils, storage areas or fryers used where required?

✅ Record keeping – Are your ingredient lists and allergen details reviewed regularly? ALWAYS CROSS REFERENCE THE PRODUCT PACKAGING!

✅ Emergency readiness – Do staff know how to recognise anaphylaxis and respond quickly (calling 999, staying with the customer, using adrenaline auto-injectors if available)?

✅ Customer confidence – Do you actively encourage customers to ask about allergens rather than assume?

 

Anaphylaxis Awareness Week is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and strengthen your allergy procedures. By making allergy safety part of your everyday culture, you not only protect your customers but also protect your business and reputation. A few simple steps – from clear communication to robust training – can make the difference between risk and reassurance. Let’s work together to ensure every customer can enjoy Britain’s favourite meal with confidence.


For more information visit: www.anaphylaxis.org.uk or www.narf.org.uk

 

This Level 2 Allergy Awareness course is aimed towards those whose occupations that have involvement in the handling and preparation of food, and comprehensively covers how to prepare food respective of food allergies.


 
 
 

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