As part one of a three part series investigating what it's like to live wiht food allergies, Josh and Grace look back on the "Catering for Allergens" event hosted at the University of Birmingham and discuss key takeaways from a day full open discussion surrounding allergen safety in the hospitality industry.

In this podcast, New Food speaks to Iain Ferris, Lecturer in Food Safety, Food Standards and Food Law at University of Birmingham, Liljia Polo-Richards, Director and Founder of Allergy Companions and Lisa Winnall, Associate Professor, Head of Food Safety Group at the University of Birmingham.

The need for frank and transparent communication is essential in improving allergy safety standards in the hospitality industry but, as the speakers point out, communication works two ways. The hospitality sector needs to listen to consumers, and equally, consumers need to understand hospitality frustrations and be able to offer advice in order to generate change and remove the fear factor surrounding allergens in the sector.

Tune in next Friday to hear part two of this series where we talk to Liljia Polo-Richards about Allergy Companions and the difference it is making in the food industry.