How to Create an Allergen Awareness Zone

With as many as 15 million Americans being affected by food allergies – nearly 4% of adults and 8% of children – it’s no wonder that food allergies and the prevention of allergic reactions have become growing public concerns. For businesses in the food service and food retail industries, understanding food allergies and how to keep customers safe has become an important priority.

While more than 160 foods are known to be allergens, only 8 common foods account for 90% of all adverse reactions. These eight allergens include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Any contact with a food or ingredient containing the proteins derived from these major food allergens could cause a reaction, so preventing the unintentional transfer of allergens during food prep is imperative.

The most effective way to prevent cross contamination during food preparation is to use separate prep areas and utensils for non-allergen foods; the use of a dedicated allergen-free area and tools will create a “safe space” in which your kitchen team can feel confident that the meals they prepare are safe for all customers to enjoy.

Hubert’s Allergen Solution

While we have several products in our assortment to help our customers create safer kitchens and food prep stations for their businesses, we have uniquely colored products designed with food allergen awareness in mind.

All of the items in our Allergen Safe selection are marked by a purple color. This purple hue designates that a specific tool or piece of cookware is NOT to be used with any one of the eight most common allergens – milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, or shellfish. Although these tools cannot stop cross-contamination of allergens if used improperly, they help minimize the risks by reminding employees to use them only in preparation of foods for allergen sensitive customers and to wash between each use. When combined with education, awareness, and clean kitchen practices, these tools are instrumental in creating a contamination-free space to prepare allergen safe foods.

Meet the Purple Products

Allergen Baking Kit (#78157)
	Each unit consists of a 15″ grey oven mitt, 8″ round cake pan, 18″ x 13″ bun pan, 9″ x 4-1/2″ bread pan, 12″ x 8″ cutting board, a purple slip-on silicone sleeve (medium), 9″ stainless steel tong, 12″ stainless steel tong, a silicone spatula and a slim silicone spatula.
Allergen Cooking Kit (#69981)
	Each unit consists of a 3”-4” knife, 8”-10” knife, 12” x 8” cutting board, 3 ¼” paring knife, 8” Chef’s knife, 9” serrated sandwich knife, 8” x 3” turner, purple slip-on silicone sleeves (small and medium), 10” nonstick fry pan with silicone handle, stainless steel solid serving spoon, 9” stainless steel tong, 12” stainless steel tong, silicone spatula, slim silicone spatula, slotted silicone turner, silicone spoon, silicone basting brush with stainless steel handle, NSF piano whip, digital thermometer, repositionable labels, 5” small round crock, full size food box and dual action lid.
Allergen Towel (#66537)
	This microfiber towel consists of electromagnetically-charged fibers that are designed to attract and hold dust, dirt and grim. It can be used on wet or dry surfaces.
Allergen Basket (#19946)
	Rectangular display basket is made of polypropylene for lasting durability. Synthetic material is dishwasher safe for quick cleaning. The recognizable purple color is the perfect way to promote for food allergy awareness.
Allergen Labels (#41313)
	Allergen Labeling that is affordable, easy to use and will help keep your customers safe. Built on ToughMark repositionable label stock, these allergen labels can follow ingredients all the way to prepared foods by transferring from container to container as elements are combined, ensuring that your staff is always aware when a potential allergen is present in final menu items.