The Importance of Allergen Awareness
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The Importance of Allergen Awareness
At The Dalesman Group, we understand the critical importance of allergen awareness and the diligent application of cross-contamination prevention measures. This commitment is not just about meeting standards; it’s about protecting the health and wellbeing of our customers and yours.
Incident overview
A recent experience highlighted the profound impact of allergen safety. A family dining at a trusted restaurant faced a serious situation when their child, who has coeliac disease, was mistakenly served a gluten-containing dessert. Despite the restaurant’s established allergen protocols, a simple error led to significant health consequences for the child.
The incident took place during the festive period. During this period, the restaurant had changed its crockery, making the regular dishes and gluten free dishes almost indistinguishable. This led to their child with coeliac disease being served the regular dish and their non-coeliac child being served gluten free.
Immediate impact
The child, who must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet, began to feel unwell shortly after consuming only a small amount of the dessert. Symptoms included severe stomach cramps and vomiting, which underscored the severity of cross-contamination risks. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous allergen control.
Detailed reaction
Shortly after consuming the dessert, the child started to go pale. By the time they reached home, her stomach was solid and causing extreme discomfort. Her mother was even unable to palpate her stomach as it was too firm. Her condition then escalated to violent vomiting, highlighting the severe impact of even a small amount of gluten on someone with coeliac disease.
Long-term consequences
Coeliac disease causes damage to the villi in the small intestine, which is crucial for nutrient absorption. When these villi are damaged by gluten, they become inflamed and flattened, reducing the surface area of the small intestine. This makes it so the villi are unable to properly absorb nutrients.
When the villi are damaged, it can lead to symptoms such as diarrhoea, weight loss, iron-deficiency anaemia, bloating, abdominal discomfort and constipation. In this case, the incident could potentially delay the child’s physical growth by 3 to 6 months, underscoring the critical need for stringent allergen control.
Treatment
Recovery involves strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, and even a single lapse can set back physical growth and health by several months.
Typically, symptoms should improve within a few days to a few weeks, with the small intestine completely healing in 3 to 6 months.
In this incident, the child and parents are waiting to hear from their endocrinologist to see if further action is needed and if a gastroscopy to confirm any damage done.
Why Dalesman Prioritises Allergen Safety
At The Dalesman Group, we take allergen safety seriously. Our stringent protocols are designed to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that every product is safe for consumption by individuals with conditions like coeliac disease. Our comprehensive testing procedures and state-of-the-art microlab play a crucial role in this process. We rigorously test all incoming goods and have procedures in place at every stage of production to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality.
Our BRCGS AA-rated manufacturing facility is equipped with advanced technology to provide full traceability and rigorous in-house quality assurance testing. This ensures that every product meets our stringent allergen control standards. By choosing The Dalesman Group, you are choosing unparalleled quality and peace of mind, knowing that your ingredients are safe and of the highest standard.
Conclusion
This case study underscores the importance of allergen awareness and the need for stringent safety protocols. At The Dalesman Group, we are dedicated to providing safe, high-quality products and supporting our customers in navigating the complexities of allergen management. Choose us for your ingredient needs and experience the confidence that comes with our commitment to safety and quality.
Work with us
If you want to work with a company with an outstanding commitment to quality, healthy and safety, just get in touch with the team to find out how we can help.
We also have a plethora of ‘off-the-shelf’ products available and ready to buy on Dalesman Direct.
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