Leicestershire founder highlights gaps in school allergy safety as calls for change grow

Sophia Turner, founder of the Safe Appetite app, has been speaking out about the realities faced by families managing food allergies, particularly within school environments where risks can be harder to control.

Speaking recently on BBC Radio Leicester, Sophia shared how her own experiences led her to create Safe Appetite, a tool designed to support individuals and families navigating allergies in everyday life.

“Living with allergies is not just about avoiding certain foods, it’s about constant awareness and planning,” she explained. “For parents, especially those with children in school, there’s an added layer of trust. You’re relying on other people to understand the seriousness of something that can be life-threatening.”

The growing momentum behind Benedict’s Law has brought renewed attention to how allergies are managed in schools, with campaigners calling for clearer guidance, improved staff training, and more consistent safety measures across the UK.

Sophia believes that while progress has been made, there is still a gap between policy and real-life understanding.

“Many schools are doing their best, but there’s still a lack of consistency. Some have excellent procedures in place, while others are still learning. What’s needed is not just policy, but education and awareness at every level.”

The Safe Appetite app was created to help bridge that gap, offering users a way to manage their allergy profile in a simple, accessible way. A key focus for Sophia has been ensuring the app is genuinely user-friendly, particularly for those already dealing with the stress of managing a medical condition.

“One of the biggest frustrations with health-related apps is how complicated they can be, or how difficult it is to cancel subscriptions,” she said. “We’ve built Safe Appetite to be straightforward, transparent and easy to use, with no hidden extras. That was really important to me.”

As allergy awareness continues to grow, Sophia hopes conversations will move beyond basic understanding and towards meaningful change, particularly within schools and public settings.

“The conversation around Benedict’s Law is a really important step forward,” she added. “But it has to translate into real change in schools. This is about safety, but it’s also about confidence. Every child should feel safe at school, and every parent should feel confident that their child is being looked after properly.”

With increasing attention on allergy-related risks, voices like Sophia’s are helping to shape the conversation, bringing lived experience into the spotlight and pushing for improvements that could make a real difference to families across the UK.