Leicestershire app founder backs new allergy laws to help keep children safe in schools
New guidance requiring all schools in England to keep emergency adrenaline pens on site from September has been welcomed by a Leicestershire allergy expert, who says the changes are a major step forward but must be backed up with better education and training.
Sophia Turner, founder of Safe Appetite (SAPHE), recently spoke on BBC Radio Leicester following the announcement of the new statutory guidance, known as Benedict's Law, which aims to improve allergy safety in schools after the tragic death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe.
Sophia, who lives with severe allergies herself, believes the changes will give many parents greater confidence, but says simply having emergency medication available is only part of the solution.
"It's really welcome news," she said.
"But it's not just about having the right equipment. It's about having the right level of awareness to keep children safe."
After experiencing allergy symptoms throughout her childhood, Sophia wasn't formally diagnosed until she was almost 30. She says that experience opened her eyes to the daily challenges faced by millions of people living with food allergies.
"For years I lived with serious allergic reactions without understanding what was causing them," she explained.
"Even after my diagnosis, I realised there were still so many barriers. Eating out, understanding food labels and simply feeling safe can become exhausting because you're constantly checking everything."
Motivated by those experiences, Sophia founded Safe Appetite (SAPHE) to help people manage allergies more safely. The platform allows users to create personalised allergy profiles and scan food products to identify allergens, including ingredients beyond the 14 major allergens required on food labels.
Alongside the app, Sophia and her team have also developed a dedicated platform designed to support schools and nurseries with allergy management.
The platform includes guidance, training resources and practical tools to help education settings meet the new expectations under Benedict's Law.
"We've been working with local specialists to build something that genuinely helps schools and nurseries," Sophia said.
"It's about giving staff the confidence, knowledge and practical support they need to keep children safe."
She believes allergy awareness has improved significantly in recent years but says misconceptions still exist.
"People often think allergies are simply food preferences or that a tiny amount won't matter. The reality is that even trace amounts can cause life-threatening reactions."
Sophia hopes the new guidance will encourage more conversations around allergy safety and ensure every child can attend school with confidence.
"The fact these changes are happening is hugely positive, but we have to keep the momentum going. Better awareness, better education and better support will ultimately save lives."