The Coeliac Chef


Practical training and consultancy on food allergens, intolerances and dietary preferences in the hospitality industry


                                Facts and Figures    


It is estimated that between 1-10% of adults and children have a food hypersensitivity. However as many as 20% of the population experience some reactions to foods which make them believe they do have a food hypersensitivity (The Association of UK Dietitians (BDA), 2015)


Around 11-26 million members of the European population are estimated to suffer from a  food allergy. If this prevalence is projected onto the world’s population of 7 billion, it translates into 240-550 million potential food-allergic people; a huge global health burden (Pawankar R, et al, 2013)

                           What does that mean to YOU?  


The Food Standards Agency estimates that over 2 million people in the UK have some form of food allergy.


As a food service business; cafes, pubs, restaurants, takeaways and caterers, you can gain a competitive edge by understanding your customers with allergies, intolerances and other dietary preferences.

Risk less in terms of liability.

Attract and serve more customers so ultimately earn more by understanding inclusivity in the hospitatality sector.


I can help you stand out against the competition.

 
 



So What is it?


...a food hypersensitivity?



A food hypersensitivity is a bad reaction to a food that is otherwise perfectly safe to eat.



...a food allergy?



A food allergy is an abnormal, exaggerated reaction of the immune system to certain foods. It involves the production of a specific kind of antibody which reacts to a particular food component and, in doing so, causes an allergic reaction.


...a food intolerance?



A food disease is also a bad reaction to some food ingredient. However, the immune system is not involved. Examples include lactose intolerance due to the absence of the enzyme lactase and migraine induced by red wine.


...coeliac disease?


Coeliac disease is an example of an “auto immune” disease in which the body is attacked by its own immune system. The reaction is triggered by eating gluten-containing foods. Gluten is a mixture of proteins called prolamins and glutenins that are found in cereals such as wheat, barley, rye and oats.

...an allergen?


An allergen is any normally harmless substance that causes an immediate allergic reaction in a susceptible person. Food allergens are almost always proteins although other food constituents, such as certain additives, are known to have allergenic (allergy-causing) properties.

...cross-reactivity?

Cross-reactivity can happen when one protein is similar to another protein that is an allergen. The proteins don’t have to be in the same food. Some people have a latex allergy which can be associated with a number of food allergies including banana, avocado, chestnut, apple, carrot, celery, papaya, kiwi, potato, tomato and melons. Allergy to tree pollen can also be associated with allergies to fruit. For instance people who are allergic to birch pollen are also allergic to apples, almonds, peaches, kiwi, carrots, celery, peppers and hazelnut. Cross-reactivity with melons, tomatoes and oranges has been recorded in people who are allergic to grass pollen.

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