Food Allergy Aware has been named Health & Safety Consultancy of the Year 2026 at the Safety & Health Excellence Awards, recognising its leadership in transforming allergen risk management across the UK hospitality and food service industry.

The award acknowledges innovation, collaboration and practical leadership, including two flagship initiatives that are helping food businesses move beyond compliance towards a stronger food safety culture.

The first is the Near Miss Reporting Campaign, developed in partnership with JACS Allergen Management in collaboration as Hospitality Allergen Support UK (HASUK) and The campaign encourages food businesses to report and investigate allergen-related near misses before someone is harmed.

While many allergen incidents never reach the point of causing injury, they often reveal weaknesses in systems, communication or operational practices. Food Allergy Aware believes these learning opportunities should never be lost. By encouraging a transparent, no-blame reporting culture, the campaign enables businesses to identify trends, strengthen controls and prevent future incidents, placing prevention at the heart of allergen management.

Alongside this work, Food Allergy Aware has introduced its Food Allergy Aware Certified Allergen Management, an independent assessment and recognition programme developed to provide assurance that businesses have embedded robust allergen management throughout their operations.

The Winchester Hotel & Spa were the first to be awarded Gold Certification, with others in the pipeline.

Unlike schemes that focus solely on documentation, the pilot evaluates practical implementation, staff knowledge, leadership commitment, customer communication, food safety management systems and operational controls. The objective is simple: to help protect people living with food allergies, coeliac disease and food intolerances by ensuring businesses consistently deliver safe food and informed customer service.

Founder Caroline Benjamin said: "This award recognises far more than consultancy. It reflects our commitment to changing behaviours, improving safety culture and ensuring allergen management becomes embedded within everyday food safety practices.

"The Near Miss Reporting Campaign encourages businesses to learn before someone is harmed, while our Food Allergy Aware Certification Pilot gives businesses an opportunity to demonstrate best practice and provides reassurance to customers that allergen safety has been independently assessed.

"Ultimately, everything we do is about reducing risk and helping ensure people with food allergies, coeliac disease and food intolerances can eat out with greater confidence."

Caroline dedicated the award to the memories of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, Sadie Bristow, Benedict Blythe, Owen Carey, Hannah Jacobs and Cameron Wahid, whose lives continue to inspire improvements in allergen awareness and food safety throughout the industry.

Food Allergy Aware continues to work with hospitality businesses, healthcare providers, contract caterers, education settings, local authorities and suppliers to raise standards through consultancy, accredited training, auditing, mystery dining, independent certification and practical guidance.

As allergen incidents continue to present one of the most significant food safety risks facing the hospitality sector, Food Allergy Aware hopes this national recognition will encourage more organisations to embrace proactive allergen management, adopt near miss reporting and strive for independently verified best practice.

Contact

e: consultancy@fatc.co.uk | t: 07732637292 : w: foodallergyaware.co.uk