Meet Jacqueline Hassan | Peanut & Dairy Free Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline Hassan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When two of my four children were diagnosed with life threatening food allergies it became clear that parties, holidays and social gatherings would look quite different. Every party came with baking and bringing our own safe treats for the kids, and although my kids loved their treats they always felt different and embarrassed when eating a cupcake instead of what was being served. Over the years I researched recipes and tweaked them to make them safe, I took family recipes and found ways to make them allergy friendly and I came up with my own recipes by knowledge I had gained through it all. It quickly became a passion of mine to create safe bakery items that everyone could enjoy. By starting Threat Neutralized Bakery I ensured that everyone would feel included at any event.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Did you know that one in ten people suffer from a food allergy? Nearly five million people suffer from dairy and peanut allergies alone! Running a dairy and peanut free bakery is very extensive. I research every product and manufacturer to be sure all ingredients are safe, get emails with ingredient lists from suppliers that I file away and contact again every year to be sure no changes to the products have been made. I wouldn’t say it was hard but it does take a lot of time and extra effort. It is a step I will not skip. I want to feel confident when serving my customers and most importantly I want them to feel confident they are safe when buying my bakery items.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ohhh this is hard for me as I haven’t been able to visit this great city yet! It is on my bucket list and I cannot wait to visit. My sister has told me so many great spots she has toured and they all sound beyond amazing! Maybe you also have some suggestions for me? Where should a baker go first to visit?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family is the center of everything in my life. It’s who I am, who I will become and how I will achieve my dreams and goals. My family is my greatest blessing! Whether I need an ingredient that’s hard to find, a taste tester, an encouraging word or an extra hand (or six) I always have someone to turn to. Without them Threat Neutralized wouldn’t be possible! So thank you to the most amazing Mom, siblings, Aunts, Uncles, In-Laws, Husband and children anyone could ever be blessed with. You all amaze me! As for my shoutout, that would go out to all the food allergy warriors searching for those safe foods, reading every label, and double checking everything you buy to be sure it is safe. I salute you!

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