In this week’s news we celebrate the ending of alfresco red tape and welcome a new trial into food allergy treatments. We also look at product recalls and the government’s U-turn on junk food multi-buy ban.
Alfresco red tape to be permanently scrapped
To quote Monty Python, “Always look on the bright side of life” sums up finding the positives from the pandemic. European alfresco culture is certainly one of them, with cafes, bars and restaurants embracing the relaxation of regulations. So, it’s great news that alfresco pavement licensing red tape is going to be permanently scrapped, freeing up businesses to serve food alfresco all year round.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation backs £2.2m trial
A new study is aiming to prove that peanut and milk products can be used as a treatment for people living with food allergies. The three-year oral immunotherapy trial will be the first major study funded by The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the charity set up by the parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died from a severe food allergic reaction. Led by researchers at the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, partnering with Imperial College London, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Newcastle University and Sheffield Children’s Hospital, it aims to show that everyday foods, taken under medical supervision, can be used as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.
Grab & Go chicken recalled following Salmonella scare
Salmonella fears have caused a major product recall on chicken products by producer Cranswick Country Foods. The decision affects grab and go wraps, sandwiches and ready meals sold by major supermarkets and high street coffee shop chains is precautionary while investigations continue. At Food Alert our Technical Services are there to support food manufacturers and retailers with everything from supply chain assurance to BRCGS certification, offering a safe pair of trusted hands.
Government delays restrictions on junk food multi-buy sales
Having just introduced mandatory calorie labelling on all menus for hard hit hospitality venues, the government has decided to delay restrictions on ‘junk’ food sales by one year. This means multi-buy offers on products high in fat and sugar will be allowed as the sharp rise in cost of living continues to hit consumers’ pockets. However, the rules restricting the placement of less healthy products, which will no longer be permitted to be promoted in key locations, such as checkouts, store entrances, aisle ends and their online equivalents, will go ahead in October as planned.