F&B outlets need to assume responsibility for their customers and consider allergen safety in their business protocol as the UAE is a country that attracts tourists from all over the world and where eating out is a significant part of the culture.
Specifico & Co. is initiating #TurnItPurpleDXB and #TurnItPurpleME, a month-long campaign to raise awareness about allergens and their management. Supporting the vision of Dubai Municipality, this campaign is aimed at encouraging food establishments to understand allergens, their implications and handle them better for the safety of their employees and customers.
Run primarily via social media, this campaign will focus on education and interaction with food establishments and customers alike, through informational e-mailers, series of blog and social media posts covering a range of topics, including the Big-9 of allergies, benefits of colour-coding, gluten/lactose intolerance, amongst other topics. Specifico & Co. will also offer discounts on products and trainings to help food outlets become allergen friendly.
For those who complete the training successfully, Specifico will also issue a plaque/certificate well as other marketing materials to help the restaurant denote their allergen-friendliness to customers.
Specifico & Co. managing partner Rita Abou-Obeid said: “Having to deal with some food intolerance myself, I can understand what people go through whilst being at a restaurant that doesn’t take intolerances or allergies seriously. Or worse, makes the mistake of accidentally contaminating with an allergen. For those affected by such incidents, the consequences can be dire, such as causing anaphylaxis or death. We hope this effort will encourage food businesses take responsibility for their customers to provide them with a safe, hassle-free and enjoyable dining experience.”
Dubai Municipality food safety specialist Bobby Krishna explained the reasoning behind the campaign saying: “We will be hosting at the expo in two years’ time and several millions of visitors, young and old, are expected to visit Dubai. It is very likely that there are a lot of people with allergies who are not familiar with the foods are possibly to eat in our restaurants. It is important that we prepare our food establishments early enough so that we do not put people in risk. This would mean that the staff have to be trained, facilities enhanced and practices monitored.”
Specifico & Co. invites food establishments to share their suggestions, allergen management plans, efforts and activities on social media by either using the hashtag #TurnItPurpleDXB (if in Dubai) or #TurnItPurpleME (outside of Dubai) or simply tagging the official Specifico & Co. page.
| Advertisement |
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
