Food Intolerance

Food allergies and intolerances and catering for special dietary requirements

almond_allergyMaven Foods are committed to the health and wellbeing of our customers and their guests. We ensure all our employees understand the importance of accurate allergen information, food hygiene and how to correctly cater for people who have special dietary requirements. We are happy to discuss and cater for most special dietary needs and always ensure that on delivery, any specially prepared food are kept separate and clearly labelled.

Here is our guide to allergies and intolerances:


A food allergy is an immune system response when the body mistakes a particular food as a harmful substance. Symptoms from an allergic reaction can include rashes, itching, hives, swelling of the throat, severe breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness. The most common foods that cause allergic reactions are wheat, milk, eggs, fish and other seafoods, chocolate, corn, nuts (particularly peanuts).

Celiac disease is a disorder resulting from an immune reaction to gluten. Intolerance to gluten is thought to affect around 1 in 100 people in the UK. Symptoms include diarrhea or constipation (or both), weight loss, fatique, abdominal cramping, bloating of the stomach but in some cases the disorder can be asymptomatic. Celiac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin (a gluten protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and sometimes oats).There is no cure for celiac disease. The only effective treatment for this disorder is a gluten-free diet.

Foods that naturally do not contain gluten:

Potatoes, rice, plain meat and fish, fruits, vegetables, salad, milk, butter, eggs, plain cheeses, yoghurt, cream, oils, nuts, seeds

Foods to avoid:

Bread, crackers, cakes, biscuits, battered and breaded products, pasta, pastry, pies, pizza

People with coeliac disease should avoid all gluten. Maven Foods can provide special gluten free breads, flour, pasta, cakes and biscuits for gluten free diets.


Food intolerance and food allergies are not the same. Food intolerance is much more common. It is caused by a reaction to certain foods that does not involve the immune system. The symptoms of food intolerance can vary greatly and can include as fatigue, dark circles under the eyes, night sweats, diarrhoea and vomiting, bloating, irritable bowel, skin symptoms such as rashes, eczema, and other chronic conditions. Food intolerance symptoms usually begin about half an hour after eating or drinking the food in question, but sometimes symptoms may delayed up to 48 hours. An example of food intolerance is Lactose intolerance when individuals are unable to digest the sugar in cow’s milk.

Maven Foods are able to cater for most dietary requirements medical, dietary, and religious including halal requirements. Please let us know of your needs when making your booking.