Strengthening Allergen Awareness Across Hospitality, Healthcare & Food Service
Throughout 2025, Food Allergy Aware delivered a series of practical webinars covering key areas of allergen management, including free-from labelling, coffee shop allergen controls using the STOP THINK method, and technical guidance such as the science behind Unox hot fridges.
We also contributed to apetito’s hospital catering webinar, highlighting safe and inclusive dining for patients with food hypersensitivities.
Looking ahead, our planned webinars will explore hidden allergens, challenges for small and home-based food businesses, effective cleaning and cooking processes with equipment experts, supply chain assurance with appropriate organisations l digital allergen software solutions, brand validation and auditing, and safe event management.
Alongside these sessions, we continue to offer our Free-From Cookery Masterclass and discounted allergen training for businesses in the Chesterfield area via our events page.
Check out our latest events and training visit https://foodallergyaware.co.uk/events
Hosted by Sterling Crew, presenters Georgina Stewart – The Nutrient Gap & Adrian Rogers Biocheck
This session focused on one of the most complex areas of allergen management free-from labelling, particularly the challenges around oats, gluten-free claims, and cross-contamination risks in both loose and packaged food.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding oats in relation to gluten-free diets; including purity protocols and the difference between “oats as purchased” vs. certified gluten-free oats.
- Clear regulatory guidance around when a business can safely make “gluten-free,” “free-from,” or “may contain” statements.
- Common pitfalls with labelling food prepared on site vs. prepacked goods.
- Managing cross-contact to maintain credibility and compliance.
This webinar has been particularly valuable for teams preparing mixed menus, bakeries, cafés, deli counters and small producers navigating free-from consumer expectations.
To view the Webinar click the Link
Featuring Alix Baker, Wakefield Council & Caroline Benjamin offering Best Practice Guidance
Coffee shops face high allergen cross-contact risks due to multiple milks, syrups, toppings and shared equipment. This webinar introduced practical controls and the STOP THINK method from Wakefield Council’s Coffee Shop Panel Guidance.
Why It Matters
FHS customers rely on clear processes, as allergens can spread easily via steam wands, jugs and shared display areas.
Key Points
- Evidence of contamination on frothing wands
- When businesses can safely use “dairy-free” or “gluten-free” claims
- How to communicate clearly with FHS customers
- Importance of consistent cleaning and routines
STOP THINK
A simple approach that prompts teams to pause, assess risk and prevent cross-contact, improving safety and consistency for FHS customers.
Hosted by Caroline Benjamin – Food Allergy Aware
Presenter: Trevor Michaels. Marlo Cammarota & Robert Edwards
This technical session unpacked the Unox hot fridge system, essential for businesses where hot-holding, food safety, and compliance intersect — such as hospitals, contract caterers, grab-and-go retailers, and foodservice operations with high throughput.
Key Insights
- The science behind predictive microbiology and maintaining safe hot-holding temperatures
- Ensuring compliance with food safety legislation & due diligence requirements
- Understanding real-time temperature monitoring and its impact on allergen-sensitive meals
- How the Unox technology supports safe service for gluten-free and allergen-free meals
This webinar is particularly useful for technical managers, environmental health teams, and operational leads needing a deeper understanding of temperature-control science.
Watch the Hot Fridge Webinar: Link
Host, Chris Cooper, Sales Manager for Healthcare at Apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods, i
Panelist: Alessandra Costigliola, Head of Food Regulation and Networks at Coeliac UK, Caroline Benjamin, Founder of Food Allergy Aware and Iain Mortimer, Group Technical Manager at apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods.
In support of safer, more inclusive patient dining, Apetito have launched a on-demand webinar, shining a spotlight on the critical role of managing allergen and gluten-free diets in hospital catering.
This webinar offers a deep dive into the ever-changing, complex landscape of food hypersensitivities, equipping hospital caterers with practical guidance and regulatory know-how to safeguard patient wellbeing.
The Importance of Managing Allergens in Hospital Catering webinar is designed to support hospital staff by providing expert insights into the importance of allergen management and how to implement correct allergen procedures.
Click the link to watch the video (external website)
Final Thoughts
2025 has been a truly impactful year for advancing allergen awareness and practical knowledge across hospitality, healthcare, and foodservice sectors. Each webinar provided essential tools to help organisations reduce allergen risks, improve compliance, and build trust with Food Hypersensitive customers and patients.
Whether you manage a coffee shop, work in hospital catering, oversee food safety operations, or support free-from consumers, these sessions offer valuable insights you can implement immediately.
Watch out for our Webinars next year planned to cover cleaning, dishwashers and equipment, challenges for small businesses, hidden allergens
If you’d like with support, with training or consultancy for your business, visit: www.foodallergyaware.co.uk
Join our Pilot Certification scheme - be an early adopter!
Check out our pilot certification scheme – we are working with all sizes and sectors of food bussinesses to get certified to give the FHS customer confidence when dining out
What we offer
Expert Advice:
Menu Guidance & Labelling Support:
Templates & Training Materials:
Induction Training Presentation and 1 printed booklet included in certification (additional copies available for purchase)
Food Allergy Policy Template
Allergen Awareness Signage Templates guidance
Training Guidance & Recommendations:
and more….
Click here to find out more.
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