Council hosts allergen safety course

Horsham District Council is responding to concerns by supporting local food businesses with practical advice to meet the challenges allergens pose to them and their customers.

The Council’s Environmental Health team will be holding an Allergen Workshop on Thursday 9 April at the Park Barn, North St, Horsham (opposite The Capitol) from 9.30am until 12 noon.

Allergen safety is high on the list of priorities for the Council, the public and food businesses.

The national focus on allergens in food and providing information for customers is set to continue, in the shadow of a number of high-profile media stories involving the lives lost through eating food with hidden or undeclared allergenic ingredients.

The training event aims to bring businesses up to date with the current requirements and best practices in relation to identifying allergens on their menu, as well as effective ways of communicating these to their customers, through practical demonstrations and group exercises.

Cllr Tricia Youtan, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community & Wellbeing said:

“We’ve seen real progress in how food businesses approach customers with allergies in recent times.

“It’s clear there is more to be done to encourage businesses to identify allergens and communicate clearly to their customers about them.

As a council we want to ensure local businesses are well prepared with the relevant allergy information and help keep those at risk safe.

Cllr Tricia Youtan, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Community & Wellbeing

Any businesses interested in attending the workshop at a cost of £25 are encouraged to contact the Environmental Health team directly on 01403 215641 or by emailing publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk.

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .