Allergen Awareness
Know the 14 allergens, where they hide on a café menu, and how to keep every customer with an allergy safe, in eight short video lessons and a final quiz. Pass it and you get your certificate straight away. Take it on your phone or computer, at your own pace.
8 video lessons
20-question quiz
Instant certificate
Who should take this course?
Anyone who makes, serves or sells food and drink. It suits:
Baristas, front-of-house and counter staff
Kitchen teams and chefs, supervisors and managers
The people who pack or deliver orders
New starters, as part of their induction
Experienced staff who want a refresher on the Irish rules
The examples come from cafés and coffee shops, but the skills apply to any food business: restaurants, hotels, delis, bakeries, caterers and food stalls.
Course description
This course gives you the know-how to spot allergen risks, stop them reaching the customer and respond calmly if something goes wrong. It is based on Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) guidance on Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and the Irish rules for allergen information on non-prepacked food (S.I. No. 489 of 2014, as amended).
It covers general allergen knowledge. Employers must still train and supervise their staff in their own menu, allergen records and procedures. The emergency lesson is general awareness based on HSE advice, not first-aid training or medical advice.
This is general training: it supports, but doesn’t replace, the food safety procedures (HACCP system) and supervision where you work, which always come first. See Scope and limits of the training.
- A short video, clear infographics and real-life quick checks in every lesson
- A 20-question quiz at the end, with no entry requirements
- A certificate of completion issued by Barista School Ireland
Certificate valid for 2 years, our recommended refresher (the FSAI sets no expiry date): refresh sooner if your menu or procedures change
Course outline
Lesson 1Food allergy, intolerance and coeliac disease
Lesson 2Allergens and the law in Ireland
Lesson 3The 14 allergens and where they hide in a café
Lesson 4Reading labels and keeping allergen records- Lesson 5Preventing cross-contact, from the milk bar to the cake display
Lesson 6Handling customer requests, from order to table
Lesson 7Allergic reactions and what to do in an emergency- Lesson 8Reviewing, checking and improving your allergen procedures
Duration: about 45 to 60 minutes · Format: online, video lessons · Assessment: 20-question quiz · Certificate: instant PDF
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