Around Noon today announces an innovative new partnership with Natasha’s Foundation – the new name for The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the food allergy charity – which was set up after the founders’ daughter Natasha died from anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, when she was just 15-years-old.
The leading food-to-go firm, which has sites in Newry, Slough and North London, is committing to a four-year arrangement with the Foundation to support its vital work in food allergy awareness, research and education, and its long-term mission to help eliminate allergic disease altogether.
As part of the new agreement, Around Noon will provide funding support to the Foundation between now and 2030, while also contributing manufacturing expertise, operational insight, and participation in workshops and strategic discussions focused on food industry best practice for allergen management.
The partnership formalises a growing relationship between the two organisations. They first collaborated in 2024 when Around Noon co-sponsored the “Game Changer Award” at the Women of the Year Awards. This was presented to Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, Natasha’s mother and co-founder of the Foundation in recognition of her outstanding work campaigning for improved allergen awareness and food safety legislation following Natasha’s tragic death.
Building on this relationship, Around Noon then welcomed Natasha’s father and Foundation co-founder, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBE, to the company’s new Slough manufacturing facility to discuss the importance of industry collaboration in driving allergen safety standards forward across the food sector.
Speaking about the partnership, Dominic Darby, Group Technical Director at Around Noon Foods, said: “We are excited to continue working with Natasha’s Foundation and formalise our partnership in a four-year agreement that will help their essential research and awareness work to continue. Food allergy awareness and allergen management remain critical priorities for the food industry, and we are proud to support the Foundation’s mission while also helping shape best practice across manufacturing and food service.”
The partnership will also play a central role in Around Noon’s activities during International Food Safety Week.
On Thursday 4 June, to formally kick off the new partnership, Ella Dobson, Corporate Partnerships Manager for Natasha’s Foundation, took part in a company-wide engagement event across all Around Noon manufacturing sites. The event focused on allergen awareness, Natasha’s legacy, and the ongoing work of the Foundation to improve consumer safety and education.
The day also included Food Safety “Lunch & Learn” sessions across all sites, engaging factory teams in interactive discussions around food safety culture, allergen management, and best practice within manufacturing environments.
Commenting on the partnership, Ella Dobson said: “Natasha’s Foundation is excited that Around Noon has come on board as a corporate partner, and we are looking forward to the industry insight and collaboration they will bring to our work. Partnerships like this are essential in helping us raise awareness, influence positive change, and continue driving improvements in food allergy safety.”
The partnership reflects Around Noon’s continued commitment to food safety excellence, consumer protection, and industry collaboration in helping create safer food environments for everyone living with food allergies.
Natasha’s Foundation has just announced details of a groundbreaking new £10m global research prize to help achieve their bold mission to create a future without food allergy.
Commenting on Natasha’s Prize, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse said: “Creating a future without food allergy is an ongoing challenge, and achieving meaningful breakthroughs will require significantly greater investment and collaboration. The Foundation is therefore seeking additional investors and partners to be able to give more than the £10 million, accelerate innovation, and drive a bigger impact in this critical area. To find out more about Natasha’s Prize visit Natashasprize.org.uk. There, you can explore the Foundation’s research strategy and learn more about the urgent need to create a future without food allergy.”
