Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice provider, announces a new partnership with Nutritics, market leading provider of foodservice technology, to further enhance standards in recipe analysis, menu management and food labelling across the UK.
Brakes and Nutritics have joined forces to launch a one-stop solution called Virtual Chef Online, an advanced, groundbreaking suite of online recipe and menu management tools for foodservice operators including:
• Recipe analysis to automatically calculate cost, nutrition and highlight allergens
• Menu management for GP and sales analysis alongside options such as displaying the customer menu on a TV screen or tablet
• Customised label maker and label printing solution to assist with Natasha’s Law compliance
• Cost, sustainability, and waste analysis
• Unique real-time access to Brakes portfolio of 12,000 products and prices
Virtual Chef Online will be an invaluable tool for businesses when it comes to complying with allergen legislation in general, and Natasha’s Law in particular. Natasha’s Law applies to products designated as ‘pre-packed for direct sale’ (PPDS). That is food packaged at the same place it is offered for sale to consumers, which includes pre-wrapped products kept behind a counter.
From 1 October 2021, all PPDS food will need to have a label showing the name of the food and the full ingredient list. Where any of the 14 declarable allergens are present, they must be identified on the label.
As well as helping food businesses to comply with food law, Virtual Chef Online also makes it simple to reformulate recipes, improve their nutritional profiles, or meet specific targets related to nutrition and health claims.
As part of the agreement, Nutritics is Brakes’ preferred software provider, establishing a more standardised foodservice software system in the UK that is geared towards the food industry’s needs to help caterers provide consumers with more robust information and a higher level of transparency to make informed food choices.
Adam Collett, Brakes UK Marketing and Digital Director, said, “As well as simplifying the entire menu development process, increasing efficiency and reducing food waste, Virtual Chef Online will make it easier for our customers to comply with current food regulations, as well as upcoming legislation such as Natasha’s Law.'
Stephen Nolan, Managing Director at Nutritics, said, 'We are delighted to partner with Brakes to power the technology behind the Virtual Chef Online solution. This new market offer gives Brakes' customers access to best-in-class recipe and menu management technology and will enable them to optimise their offer, enhance compliance and improve the customer experience all from one software solution.”