1st to 7th October is Anaphylaxis Awareness Week.
Today, 1st October 2026, marks five years since Natasha’s Law was introduced, yet still people living with food allergies find it difficult to find safe venues for social occasions. Even going for a coffee with a friend can bring danger and anxiety.
Coffee and biccies anyone?
Yesterday, I went for coffee with a friend, and there was the obligatory biscuit on the saucer, albeit in a sealed packet, it should not be placed there when I have stated that I have allergies, so please don’t give me the biscuit.
Even asking for a Black Americano still brings the question, ‘Would you like milk with that?’. Erm…..let’s think about this, I asked for a Black Americano!
What can we do to make life easier?
The Cater Allergy Safer©️ side of my business is devoted to providing hospitality businesses with the solutions to safely serve food hypersensitive diners, without prejudice.
What does that mean?
For those of living in the daily, lifelong minefield of allergies, intolerances, Coeliac disease, Eosinophilic Oesophagitis, and more, it means being able to go out with our friends and families, work colleagues, etc. and don’t forget all those Christmas celebrations that people are now talking about organising.
Natasha’s Law requires that food businesses are able to provide information about the ingredients used in their dishes. They are also required to have their staff trained to handle and manage allergens safely, and to serve customers with respect and dignity, without rolling their eyes, sighing, panicking, or going into ‘The Spanish Inquisition’ with questions such as ‘What happens if you eat that?’, or statements such as ‘I wouldn’t eat out if I had allergies’.
Can you? 
If you work in hospitality, have you had training? Do you know the ingredients in every dish served? Can you show your customers the ‘Allergen Information’? Do you just say, ‘All our food is prepared in a kitchen where all the allergens are present, so we cannot guarantee no cross contamination.’? Do you have a notice in your window telling people with allergies not to come in? It is not unheard of!
Perhaps you are already willing and able to serve food hypersensitive customers, in which case, book your call here Free Initial Consultation – Food Allergy Friends
Cater Allergy Safer©️ is here for both the hospitality industry, and their customers.
Find out more on https://caterallergysafer.co.uk
You can learn what you need to do to gain our recognition, and I know many food businesses are already passionate about allergen management.
There are also some success stories, of venues that have worked hard to get it right.
