Food Safety & Allergen Notice

Last updated: 15/12/2025

This Food Safety & Allergen Notice applies to all food items listed or purchased through the AskUp platform.

AskUp (“AskUp”, “we”, “us”, “our”) operates as an online marketplace connecting Customers with independent food businesses (“Shops”).

AskUp does not prepare, cook, store, package, transport, or handle food.

1. Responsibility for Food Safety

All Meals listed on AskUp are:

prepared,

handled,

packaged,

stored, and

supplied

solely by the Shop, not by AskUp.

Each Shop is legally responsible for complying with UK food safety laws, including:

the Food Safety Act 1990;

the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013;

local authority and Environmental Health requirements.

AskUp is not the food provider and does not control:

food preparation methods;

ingredient selection;

storage conditions;

temperature control;

packaging integrity.

2. Nature of Discounted & Surplus Food

Meals sold via AskUp may include:

surplus or leftover food;

end-of-day items;

mixed or bundled Meals;

food prepared earlier the same day.

All food sold via AskUp must still be safe, legal, and fit for consumption at the time of pickup.
Discounted or surplus food does not mean unsafe or lower food safety standards.

Contents, presentation, and selection may vary due to the nature of surplus food.

3. Allergen Information

AskUp does not independently verify ingredient lists or allergen information.

By using the platform, Customers acknowledge that:

allergen information is provided by the Shop;

allergen details must be requested directly from the Shop;

Shops are legally required to provide accurate allergen information upon request.

AskUp does not guarantee that any Meal is free from allergens, including but not limited to:

nuts

gluten

dairy

eggs

soy

sesame

sulphites

mustard

celery

Refunds may be considered where a Shop provides incorrect, misleading, or incomplete allergen information in breach of legal requirements.

4. Illness, Allergic Reactions & Food Safety Complaints

AskUp is not responsible for:

foodborne illness;

allergic reactions;

cross-contamination during preparation;

ingredient mislabelling by the Shop;

adverse reactions following consumption;

improper handling or storage by the Customer after pickup.

Any claims or concerns relating to illness or food safety are primarily between the Customer and the Shop, who is the legal food provider.

AskUp may assist with communication and investigation but is not liable for the food itself.

Serious food safety concerns may be referred to the relevant local authority or Environmental Health department.

5. Customer Responsibilities

Customers are responsible for:

inspecting food at pickup;

consuming food promptly;

storing and reheating food safely;

requesting allergen information directly from the Shop;

ensuring food is suitable for their dietary needs.

AskUp cannot issue refunds for:

personal taste preferences;

dietary choices or intolerances where allergens were disclosed;

reactions caused by ingredients the Customer knowingly consumed;

food mishandled after pickup.

6. Temperature, Storage & Transport

Responsibility for food safety lies with:

the Shop, up until the point of pickup;

the Customer, after collection.

AskUp does not control or monitor:

temperature management before pickup;

food freshness;

transport conditions after collection.

7. Mixed or Variable Items

Where a Meal is described as:

“mixed box”

“surprise bag”

“end-of-day bundle”

the contents may vary and are not individually guaranteed.
This will be clearly indicated in the listing.

8. Food Safety Disputes

If a Customer reports a food safety concern:

payout may be paused while the issue is reviewed;

AskUp may contact the Shop for clarification;

supporting information may be requested from either party.

Possible outcomes include:

a refund or partial refund;

release of payment to the Shop;

a goodwill resolution at AskUp’s discretion.

Nothing in this process limits a Customer’s statutory rights.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

AskUp is not liable for food safety issues arising from Meals prepared by Shops;

the Shop remains the responsible food business and legal provider.

This Notice does not exclude or limit liability where it cannot legally be excluded.

10. Contact

For food safety or allergen-related questions:
support@AskUp.co.uk
AskUp Ltd