FreeFrom Food is launching a new award category for the eating out sector to recognise the growing demand for allergen-free choices to be available on menus and the forthcoming legislation to display allergen information.
The FreeFrom Eating Out Awards 2014 will coincide with the regulations coming into force in December 2014 force that will obligate all food outlets to give information on allergens in all foods they serve.
The Food Information Regulations (FIRs) will bring together and update existing food regulations on nutrition and allergen information. It will apply to all restaurants, coffee shops and pubs as well as canteens, schools, and caterers.
All food bought in or made on premises will need to have the ingredients listed and information about allergenic ingredients displayed including types of flour used.
The legislation does not give a singular way for allergen information to be displayed, rather establishments will be required to provide the allergy information on request, or displayed on the menu or on the packets of wrapped food to go. All food service organisations will need to supply master recipe information regarding where the allergens are within the dishes.
This will update the ‘best practice’ guidelines in place for non-pre-packaged foods to make the information clearer and more easily available for consumers.
The Food Standards Agency is working alongside stakeholders in the food industry such as manufacturers, retailers, catering companies and trade bodies to help develop new legislation as well as guidance and compliance with the legislation.
The FreeFrom Eating Out Awards 2014 will be run by the same team as the well-established FreeFrom Food Awards and the FreeFrom Skincare Awards to raise awareness of the huge opportunities offered by ‘freefrom’ food within the food service sector.
The awards, patronised by Antony Worrall Thompson, will recognise establishments in the categories of individual restaurants and restaurant chains; individual pub restaurants and pub restaurant chains; individual and chain cafes, coffee houses and takeaways; guest houses and B&Bs; schools and universities; food manufactured for food service; and hospitals, prisons and the military catering.
To enter a nomination for the awards visit freefromeatingoutawards.co.uk
