How Times Have Changed - Enhancing Customer Experiences Through Due Diligence

In the past the job of a chef was to cook and create with little risk or implications, however with a shift in regulation and a significant increase in dietary related conditions things have changed.

As a team we are always looking to enhance our customer experience whether that is through developing new recipes and menu ideas or through improved packaging and presentation of our food. For our delivered corporate buffets we have recently developed a new labelling system to ensure we go above and beyond the regulations required for food hygiene and allergen information. Presentation, brand awareness, legislative compliance and customer experiences all improved in one go.

Since 13 December 2014, all food businesses have been required to provide information about the allergenic ingredients used in food sold or provided by them. The EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation (No.1169/2011) outlines the requirements for businesses which are providing food sold prepacked and non-prepacked. There are 14 allergens outlined in the above regulation, they are: Cereals containing gluten, Crustaceans, Eggs, Fish, Peanuts, Soybeans, Milk, Nuts, Celery, Mustard, Sesame, Sulphur dioxide/sulphites, Lupin and Molluscs. Our chefs already know this but here external communication is key.

Approximately two million people in the UK suffer with food allergies and for some they can be life threatening. The only way to manage a food allergy is to avoid the foods that make you ill. Therefore one of the most commonly asked questions from our corporate clients is regarding allergens and our flexibility to accommodate them. Like all of our menus we are able to customise our corporate dishes to suit your exact business needs. So if required we can make specific meals to cater for all dietary requirements.

As our corporate clients receive delivery of buffets we are not always able to explain exactly what items have been controlled to avoid specific allergens. As a result we have now developed a labelling system to guarantee our clients are aware of exactly what allergens are present in their food. 

In addition to allergen awareness through our final delivery and presentation, we as a company are part of the National Caterers Association (NCASS) and undertake training through them on a regular basis. Food allergens cannot be removed through the cooking process so avoiding cross contamination is vital to any catering establishment. We take pride in our kitchen practices and have recently been given the best 5 star rating from the Food Standards Agency. The whole team at Saffron receive regular training to stay up to date and give our company an edge against the competition. This is an area we just cannot afford to get wrong.

Many people have physical reactions to food. Such occurrences are reasonably common, however, are normally caused by intolerances rather than an allergy. So what is an allergy? A true allergy causes a reaction in the immune system which can affect several organs in the body. Symptoms can vary in severity; milder allergic reactions can include symptoms such as itching or swelling but the most severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis manifests itself in breathing difficulties and light-headedness, if this reaction occurs you should seek medical help.

An intolerance can cause some of the same signs and symptoms as a food allergy, so people often confuse the two. Unlike allergies, a food intolerance can show less serious symptoms and you may be able to eat a small quantity of the offending food without issue. More often than not an intolerance will only have an effect for a few hours after which your body should restore itself to normality.

If you experience a reaction after eating a certain type of food it is important to see a doctor. Even if it was only a minor issue if left undiagnosed an allergy could result in more a much more significant reaction. So to all the caterers out there take our advice and do your due diligence, don’t cut corners and train your teams. A right first time policy is crucial as mistakes can, in the worst cases, cost lives.

We always aim to improve the standard when it comes to customer experience; whether that’s through our customer service or new systems like our new allergen information labels. If you have any specific dietary requirements and would like to see if corporate catering will work for you and your business get in touch on 01530 273879 or email [email protected].