About Us

Caroline Benjamin of food allergy aware at their Mock Trial Food allergy prosecution event in 2023 speaking on the importance of allergen management policies and near miss reporting

Food Allergy Aware — Specialists in Allergen Management

Founded in 2012 by Caroline Benjamin, Food Allergy Aware was established to address the critical lack of specialist services and knowledge around allergen management, special dietary requirements, and the complexities of allergies, coeliac disease, and food intolerances. Since our inception, we have become a trusted partner to businesses across the hospitality and catering sectors, empowering them to manage allergens effectively and safely.

 

Leaders in Allergen Management

With over a decade of experience, Food Allergy Aware has worked with businesses across diverse sectors, including:

  • Cruise Liners
  • Healthcare Trusts
  • Pub Chains
  • Leading High Street Restaurants
  • Garden Centres
  • Educational Institutions: Primary and Secondary Schools, Catering Colleges

We specialise in reviewing current allergen management practices and helping businesses implement robust, compliant, and customer-focused processes and policies.

Tailored Services for Comprehensive Allergen Management

We provide consultancy, auditing, training, and bespoke workshops tailored to your specific sector or business needs. Our services include:

  • Allergen Auditing and Reviews: Comprehensive audits  and gap analysis with detailed reports, templates, and actionable recommendations to enhance compliance and customer satisfaction.
  • Training Programmes: Accredited Level 2 and Level 3 allergen training (HABC, CIEH) and bespoke training workshops. We also offer food safety and HACCP training up to Level 4, delivered by our expert team.
  • Customised Documentation: Creation of tailored allergen policies, Food safety Management Systems, including specialising in hospitals processes and templates that align with your operational needs.

Our expertise extends to creating nationally recognised training resources, such as the RSPH Level 2 Award in Identifying and Controlling Food Allergy Risks.

Supporting Food Hypersensitive Customers

Food Allergy Aware is dedicated to improving dining experiences for food hypersensitive customers, including those with coeliac disease, allergies, and food intolerances. We understand the complexities involved in catering to these groups and work with businesses to create safe, inclusive environments. Our focus on allergen management helps build trust and loyalty among customers who rely on your commitment to their safety.

Collaboration with Hospitals

We work extensively with hospitals to review and enhance their food safety management systems and allergy policies. Our consultancy ensures that hospitals can deliver safe and compliant meals for patients with food allergies and intolerances, creating effective communication pathways between wards and kitchens. For more insights into our work with hospitals, take a look at our case studies. [Link] to follow

Expert Team and Industry Recognition

Our lead consultant, Sally Trice, brings over 35 years of hospitality and food safety experience. Together, Caroline and Sally have shaped industry standards, offering a unique blend of practical catering insights and cutting-edge allergen expertise.

In 2023, we were proud to receive the Company of the Year Award from the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology. We continue to collaborate with leading organisations, offering tailored training and consultancy to raise the bar in allergen management.

 

Speaking Engagements and Industry Partnerships

Food Allergy Aware regularly contributes to the industry through event participation, workshops, and thought leadership. Past collaborations include:

  • The Association of Port Health Authorities
  • Infant Allergy Conference
  • Food Matters Live
  • Hospital Catering Association
  • Stadium Experience

We also host innovative industry events, such as our Mock Trial Food Allergy Prosecution sessions, designed to raise awareness and improve compliance. Watch this space for new dates!

 

Supporting Businesses and Enhancing Customer Experience

At Food Allergy Aware, our mission is simple: to help the food service industry create safe and inclusive dining experiences for customers with allergies, coeliac disease, and food intolerances. By improving allergen management practices, businesses can not only enhance customer satisfaction but also increase turnover by up to 25%.

Exciting New Initiatives

Looking ahead, we are developing a membership scheme to connect SMEs, share best practices, and provide access to exclusive training resources. Our local networking events will launch in the South of England, with plans to expand nationwide. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay informed about upcoming initiatives.

How can we help you with Allergen Management

To see how we can help your Food Business Operation improve allergen management and customer satisfaction,  Click here.

Society of food hygiene science & Technology award badge for the small company award for food allergy aware