Brakes launches partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation

Sysco GB has entered into a three-year strategic health partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, helping to support the organisation’s goal of preventing and eradicating food allergies.

Across its operating companies (Country Choice, kff, Medina Foodservice, Brakes and Fresh Direct), Sysco GB has already been working to raise awareness of food allergies and provide customers with solutions. Country Choice, for example, has developed a bespoke labelling solution, directly linked to a constantly updated database, to help businesses ensure that allergens are clearly labelled on food-to-go products. Brakes offers a similar solution through its Virtual Chef system. Now, all Sysco GB operating companies plan to raise further awareness through key activities such as events, webinars and video.

Sysco GB recognises that with up to three million people in the UK living with food allergies, there is a need to ensure that clear and consistent allergy information is provided everywhere, whether that is a convenience store, school, pub or restaurant.

Paul Nieduszynski, chief commercial officer at Sysco GB, said: “Awareness of the importance of allergen labelling has grown massively in the past few years, thanks in no small part to the work of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.

“However, we know there are still a lot of gaps in both knowledge and application and we want our partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation to be the catalyst for a renewed campaign to put allergy labelling at the very top of the food agenda and support The Foundation’s aim of ending food allergies.”

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, co-founder at The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, added: “We are really pleased to receive ongoing support from Sysco GB whose business in the food sector spreads far and wide. The mission of Natasha’s Foundation is to make food allergy history through discovery science and awareness so that food allergy can be dialled back down and people can lead better and inclusive lives around food.”