Allergy Information & Disclaimer

Effective Date: June 2026

Your health and safety are important to us.

At Valina’s Food, we take food safety seriously and are committed to providing clear information about ingredients and potential allergens contained within our products.

While we take every reasonable precaution during sourcing, preparation, packaging
and storage, customers with allergies, food intolerances or dietary concerns should
carefully review product information before purchasing or consuming any product.

Important Allergy Notice

Some products supplied by Valina’s Food may contain, or have been prepared in
environments that handle, common allergens.

These allergens may include:

Cereals Containing Gluten

Including wheat, barley, rye and oats.

Milk & Dairy Products

Including products containing lactose.

Eggs

Used in certain prepared foods and ingredients.

Fish

Including dried fish, smoked fish and seafood products.

Crustaceans & Shellfish

Including prawns, crayfish and shellfish products.

Peanuts

Used in certain products and ingredients.

Tree Nuts

Including almonds, cashews, walnuts and related products.

Soybeans

Present in some sauces, seasonings and food products.

Sesame Seeds

Used in selected products and ingredients.

Mustard

May be present in seasonings and prepared foods.

Celery

Used in certain recipes, stocks and flavourings.

Sulphites

Found in some preserved products and ingredients.

Cross-Contamination Warning

Although we take reasonable precautions to minimise cross-contamination, some
products may be:

Prepared in shared facilities
Packed in shared environments
Stored alongside products containing allergens

As a result, we cannot guarantee that any product is completely free from traces of
allergens.

Products may come into contact with:

Nuts
Peanuts
Fish
Shellfish
Milk
Eggs
Soy
Gluten
Sesame

and other allergens during production, handling or packaging.

Product Information

We make every effort to ensure ingredient and allergen information displayed on our
website is accurate.

However:

Manufacturers may change recipes
Product ingredients may change without notice
Packaging may vary

Customers should always check product packaging and labels before consumption.

If there is any difference between website information and product packaging, the
information provided on the product packaging should be followed.

Customers With Allergies

If you have:

Food allergies
Food intolerances
Medical dietary requirements
Severe allergic reactions

we strongly recommend contacting our customer support team before placing an order.

Our team will be happy to provide additional information where available.

Catering Allergy Information

For catering orders, customers should notify us in advance of any known allergies or
dietary requirements.

While we will make every reasonable effort to accommodate dietary needs, we
cannot guarantee that catering products are completely free from allergens due to
the nature of food preparation environments.

Consumer Responsibility

Customers are responsible for:

Reviewing ingredient information
Checking allergen details
Informing us of dietary requirements
Seeking professional medical advice where necessary
Determining whether products are suitable for their personal dietary needs

Limitation Of Liability

Valina’s Food shall not be held responsible for allergic reactions resulting from:

Undisclosed allergies
Failure to review product information
Consumption of products despite known risks
Cross-contamination beyond our reasonable control

Nothing in this disclaimer limits any rights available to consumers under applicable
UK law.

Need More Information?

If you require allergen information for a specific product, please contact our customer
support team before placing your order.

Contact Details

Valina’s Food

Unit 2, Momentum Business Park

Blackburn

BB1 2NF

United Kingdom

📧 Email: support@valinasfood.co.uk

📞 Telephone: 0808 188 9029

Our Commitment

We are committed to providing clear food information, maintaining high food safety
standards and helping our customers make informed choices when purchasing
products from Valina’s Food.

Your safety and wellbeing remain our priority.

Food Safety & Storage Information

Keeping Your Food Fresh, Safe & Delicious

At Valina’s Food, we are committed to providing high-quality African food products
that meet food safety standards and arrive in excellent condition.

To ensure the best quality, taste and safety of your products, it is important that all
food items are stored, handled and prepared correctly after delivery.

Please read the guidance below carefully.

General Food Safety Advice

Upon receiving your order:

Inspect all items immediately
Check packaging for any visible damage
Store products according to their instructions
Keep food at appropriate temperatures
Follow all preparation and cooking guidance provided

If you have any concerns regarding the condition of a product upon delivery, please
contact us immediately.

Frozen Foods

Our frozen products are carefully packaged to maintain quality during transportation.

Upon Delivery

Immediately transfer frozen products to:

A freezer operating at -18°C or below

Do not leave frozen products at room temperature for extended periods.

Freezer Storage

Frozen products should remain frozen until ready for use.

For best quality:
Store at -18°C or below
Keep packaging sealed
Avoid repeated thawing and refreezing

Defrosting Guidance

When defrosting frozen products:

Defrost in a refrigerator
Keep food covered
Follow product-specific instructions

Do not defrost food at room temperature.

Once thawed, consume within the timeframe recommended on the packaging.

Ready Meals

Our ready meals are prepared for convenience while maintaining authentic African
flavours.

Storage

Store frozen ready meals immediately upon delivery.

Heating Instructions

Heating instructions may vary by product.

Always:

Follow packaging instructions
Ensure food is heated thoroughly before consumption
Check that food is piping hot throughout

Reheating

Ready meals should only be reheated once.

Do not repeatedly reheat food as this may affect safety and quality.

Ready Ingredient Kits

Ingredient kits contain carefully selected products required to prepare traditional
African meals.

Storage Requirements
Individual ingredients should be stored according to their specific requirements.

Some items may require:
Refrigeration
Freezing
Cool, dry storage

Always review product labels and instructions.

Dry Foods

Dry food products should be stored in:

✓ Cool environments
✓ Dry conditions
✓ Airtight containers where appropriate

Avoid exposure to:
Moisture
Direct sunlight
Excessive heat

Examples include:

Rice
Beans
Garri
Flour
Spices
Crayfish
Dried Fish

Proper storage helps maintain freshness and shelf life.

Fresh Produce

Where fresh ingredients are supplied:
✓ Refrigerate immediately
✓ Use before the recommended date
✓ Wash thoroughly before use where appropriate

Catering Orders

For catering deliveries:

Consume food within recommended timeframes
Store leftovers appropriately
Follow reheating instructions where applicable

Large catering orders should be handled responsibly to maintain food safety.

Avoid Cross-Contamination

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness:

Wash hands thoroughly before handling food
Use separate utensils for raw and cooked foods
Clean preparation surfaces regularly
Store raw foods separately from ready-to-eat foods

Shelf Life Guidance

Shelf life varies depending on product type.

Customers should always:

Check product labels
Follow manufacturer instructions
Observe use-by and best-before dates

Never consume food beyond its recommended use-by date.

Signs Food May No Longer Be Safe

Do not consume products if you notice:

✗ Unusual odours

✗ Discolouration

✗ Damaged packaging

✗ Signs of spoilage

✗ Unexpected texture changes

If in doubt, dispose of the product safely.

Customer Responsibility

Once products have been successfully delivered, customers are responsible for:

Proper storage
Correct preparation
Following product instructions
Maintaining food safety practices

Valina’s Food cannot accept responsibility for products that have not been stored or
handled according to recommended guidance.

Need Advice?

If you require additional information regarding storage, preparation or food safety,
please contact our customer support team.