What Can I Eat - Helping Consumers with Food Allergies and Intolerances
Kylie Hollonds is proud of the success of her new venture! Having been involved in the specialty food manufacturing business for over 10 years, she saw the growing need to help suppliers reach and educate consumers on their products and vice versa. Having met so many consumers at International Trade Fairs who struggle with food allergies or intolerances and who were desperately searching for more variety in their everyday life, she decided to develop a website entitled, www.whatcanieat.com.au.
After a year in the development stage, the site was officially launched on January 1, 2009.
The www.whatcanieat.com.au website is designed to connect consumers and suppliers together quickly and easily, creating a win-win relationship for both parties. The simple design allows consumers, 24/7, in the comfort of their own home, to indicate their special dietary requests and the system searches to reveal the products that match their requests, for example, Gluten Free Bread. Once matched, they are then directed to more specific product information and how to order, purchase or locate the products in retail outlets nearest them.
The site already has over 340 products featured over the variety of pantries and nearly 4000 subscribers already using the tool.
"I am so excited to have developed this site because I know it will help so many Australians. I am constantly hearing stories from people who are diagnosed with an allergy and don’t know what they can safely eat, or where to get the products. We have some big plans for this website, because the requests just keep coming in on how we can better serve the public and the suppliers. We have developed a Facebook page to help encourage support networks, and added a blog where people can place product requests and discuss how food effects various ailments such as autism. It’s exciting and scary at the same time."
"We have signed on a nutritionalist and dietitian to submit some articles and great diet and health information for our monthly issue of "The Bite" our online newsletter and we also have our very own "Master Chef" who specialises in Gluten Free and Vegetarian cooking. So we look forward to her sharing some fabulous recipes each month."
Kylie believes the time is right for this website launch, with Australia facing some serious statistics concerning the general well-being of Australians.
About 1 in 20 Australians have a transient food allergy. As food allergies are not curable, the best means of preventing a reaction is to avoid allergy-causing food.
Type 2 Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease. Controlling one’s diet is one of the most important factors in reducing the risk of complications due to this disease.
Australia has now topped the charts as being the ‘Fattest Country’ - overtaking the Americans.
Developing this online tool has been an incredible journey of learning.
People who struggle with food allergies, intolerances or weight issues are invited to visit www.whatcanieat.com.au to find products that meet their needs. The recently launched "Product of the Month" campaign has been extremely popular with many signing in to be the hopeful recipient of the FREE giveaways that suppliers have offered. Customers are invited to join in the Community Food Allergy Hub to get access to FREE monthly recipes, menu planners, dietary information, product launches and updates and of course our popular "2 minute Foodles".
Suppliers who have products that cater to special dietary needs are invited to advertise their products for FREE for one month. For more details, visit the site and go to "Showcase Your Products" to be a Premier Member of this site.
Mum Zone Release Date: 18th August 2009
