Policy Statement

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Moments & Ink is committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for everyone attending our courses, workshops and creative experiences.

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Food and refreshments may form part of some Moments & Ink experiences, including freshly prepared lunches at full-day workshops, cakes and other refreshments, and nibbles at selected evening events and Sip & Paint sessions.

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We recognise that food allergies can cause serious and potentially life-threatening reactions. We therefore take the identification, preparation, handling and communication of allergens seriously. Our approach is based on current Food Standards Agency guidance and our food safety procedures.

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The 14 Regulated Allergens

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UK food businesses are required to provide information when any of the following 14 allergens are used as ingredients:

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• Celery

• Cereals containing gluten, including wheat, rye, barley and oats

• Crustaceans, such as prawns, crabs and lobster

• Eggs

• Fish

• Lupin

• Milk

• Molluscs, such as mussels, oysters and squid

• Mustard

• Peanuts

• Sesame

• Soya/soybeans

• Sulphur dioxide and sulphites above the legally specified concentration

• Tree nuts, including almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts

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We recognise that people may also have allergies or intolerances to ingredients outside these 14 allergens and will provide information about other ingredients where reasonably possible.

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Food Allergies, Intolerances and Coeliac Disease

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A food allergy is an immune-system reaction to a particular food. Even very small quantities of an allergen can cause a serious reaction in some people. A severe allergic reaction can result in anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency.

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A food intolerance does not usually involve the immune system and is not normally life-threatening, although it can cause significant discomfort and illness.

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Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition in which eating gluten causes damage to the small intestine. People with coeliac disease need to avoid gluten.

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We recognise that these conditions are different and that individual dietary requirements need to be taken seriously.

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Information We Ask You to Provide

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When food is included as part of a Moments & Ink booking, customers will be asked to tell us about any food allergies, food intolerances, coeliac disease or other dietary requirements.

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We ask customers to provide this information when booking and before attending. If your requirements change after booking, please contact Moments & Ink as soon as possible.

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Guests should not assume that a dish is suitable for them simply because an allergen is not obvious. If you have a food allergy, intolerance or coeliac disease, please speak to us before eating so that we can confirm the information relevant to the food being served.

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Our Allergen Information

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Moments & Ink will maintain written information about the regulated allergens contained in food and refreshments we provide.

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• Check ingredient labels and supplier information

• Keep allergen information accurate and up to date

• Review information when a recipe, product or supplier changes

• Retain original packaging or appropriate ingredient information where necessary

• Clearly identify food and ingredients where required

• Make written allergen information available to guests

• Encourage guests with allergies, intolerances or coeliac disease to discuss their requirements with us

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Where food is provided by an external caterer or supplier, we will obtain appropriate allergen information from them.

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Preparing and Serving Food

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We take reasonable steps to minimise the risk of allergen cross-contamination. These include:

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• Washing hands thoroughly before preparing food and between relevant food-preparation tasks

• Thoroughly cleaning preparation surfaces and equipment

• Using clean utensils, chopping boards and equipment

• Keeping ingredients appropriately covered, labelled and stored

• Keeping allergenic ingredients separate where reasonably practicable

• Checking labels every time an ingredient or product changes

• Ensuring the correct food is served to the correct guest

• Never simply removing an allergenic ingredient from an already prepared dish and presenting the remainder as allergen-free

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If we cannot safely accommodate a particular allergy or dietary requirement, we will tell the customer rather than make a promise we cannot safely fulfil.

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Cross-Contamination

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Food at Moments & Ink may be prepared in a kitchen in which allergens are present. We take appropriate precautions to reduce cross-contamination, but depending on the allergy and the food being prepared, it may not always be possible to guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.

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Where we identify a genuine risk of unavoidable cross-contamination, we will explain this to the affected customer so they can make an informed decision. We will not use general 'may contain' statements as a substitute for proper food handling and allergen management.

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Cakes, Nibbles and Bought-In Food

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Any cakes, snacks, nibbles or other food bought from external suppliers will be checked for allergen
information before being served. Where packaged food is served, packaging and ingredient information will
be retained or made available where appropriate so that allergen information can be checked. Food supplied
by external caterers or guest providers must be accompanied by appropriate allergen information.

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Staff and Workshop Leaders

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The person responsible for food safety and allergen management at Moments & Ink is the Business Owner.

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The Business Owner will:

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• Maintain and review this policy

• Maintain appropriate allergen information and food safety records

• Undertake appropriate food hygiene and allergen-awareness training

• Ensure anyone helping to prepare or serve food understands the relevant procedures

• Ensure visiting caterers or food providers supply appropriate allergen information

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Anyone preparing or serving food on behalf of Moments & Ink must follow these procedures.

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In the Event of a Serious Allergic Reaction

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A serious allergic reaction or suspected anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. If someone appears to be experiencing anaphylaxis:

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1. Call 999 immediately and state that you suspect anaphylaxis.

2. Follow the emergency call handler's instructions.

3. If the person has their own adrenaline auto-injector, such as an EpiPen or Jext, assist them as appropriate and in accordance with their instructions and emergency guidance.

4. Keep the person under observation and reassure them while waiting for emergency services.

5. If a second adrenaline auto-injector is available and symptoms have not improved, follow current emergency guidance and the instructions of the emergency call handler regarding its use.

6. Do not leave the person alone.

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Moments & Ink will cooperate fully with emergency services and record and review any allergen-related incident.

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Our Commitment

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Food is intended to be an enjoyable part of the Moments & Ink experience. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements while being open and honest about what we can safely provide.

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We ask our guests to help us by giving accurate information when booking and speaking to us if they have any concerns before eating. Our aim is that everyone can relax, create and enjoy their time at Moments & Ink with confidence.

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Review

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This policy will be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change to our food provision, relevant legislation or Food Standards Agency guidance.