New Move For Mum On A Mission
 Angela Russell and her daughter Kirsty (16) It was Kirsty's nut allergy which inspired Angela to set up the business. Following increased demand, a business started five years ago by a mother of four baking nut free biscuits and cakes in her kitchen for her daughter, has moved to new purpose built production premises, which have now officially opened.
Businesswoman Angela Russell set up It's Nut Free in 2002, after years of struggling to find tasty wholesome bakery and confectionery products for her daughter Kirsty who was diagnosed with a severe nut allergy aged two.
The company now employs nine people and Angela says the move to the 6,000 sq ft factory in North Yorkshire will allow it to expand further - with capacity to develop an upper level taking the area to 10,000 sq ft - and take on new staff.
It's Nut Free, which is the only company in the country specifically set up to manufacture products for nut allergy sufferers, produces a range of handmade flapjacks, cakes, biscuits and confectionery using traditional recipes.
Angela has recently won a listing on the NHS suppliers list as the sole supplier of nut free products It's Nut Free products, which are also free from eggs, seeds and are suitable for vegetarians, are finding favour on the shelves of some of the country's leading retailers and specialist food suppliers.
Nut allergy currently affects around 1 in 50 young people in the UK and experts say this figure is set to grow. Severe reactions to even the smallest trace of nuts or nut oil can occur, including anaphylaxis which can be life threatening.
Speaking at the opening, Angela said: "After quickly outgrowing our previous premises, our new factory gives us the capacity to expand in the future. Previously we were operating different parts of the business from different sites which can lead to logistical challenges. Now everything is under one roof we can improve efficiencies and processing. We had the support and involvement of Building Control and the Environmental Health Department right from the start to make sure the premises are of the highest and latest standards."
She added: "All our staff are trained to the highest standards and have a full induction which highlights the dangers of anaphylaxis and nut allergy so they understand why it's so important that they follow our staff nut free policy. They know that even the minutest trace of nut can cause contamination and everyone here is committed to ensuring that never happens."
For more information visit www.itsnutfree.com |
