Angela Russell set up It's Nut Free six years ago after discovering that one of her children had the condition. Kirsty, now aged 18, was just two when she was diagnosed with the condition, which affects one in 24 people in the UK and Ireland.

Now Harrods has begun stocking Mrs Russell's flapjacks, cakes and snack bags in its vast food hall.

Mrs Russell's firm, run with her husband, Stewart, is the only nut-free supplier in the one million sq ft of selling space in Harrods.

The couple also run Harrogate Chef Shop, selling chefs' wear and kitchen whites.

Mrs Russell said of the deal with Mohamed Al Fayed's store: "We are thrilled to have our products in Harrods. Our aim is develop a range that is nut-free and appealing to everyone.

"I believe that having them listed in the world's most famous department store will give us added exposure and help to raise awareness about our products and nut allergy in general."

The firm does not yet know how much the deal with Harrods, established 159 years ago, will be worth because it is dependent on the number of units sold, but hopes to do well as the number of people diagnosed with nut allergies increases.

Mrs Russell said that her suppliers are put through a rigorous audit process to ensure that their products are suitable – foods which have merely come into contact with nuts can still be a danger to allergy sufferers.

Her staff take part in an induction programme to ensure they keep the purpose-built production site, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, nut free.

The firm's products are also sold in Waitrose, Sainsbury's, at Leeds-based Asda and Bradford-based Morrisons, Costcutter, Nisa Today's and Budgens.

They are also available in health food stores and independent retailers.

Mrs Russell has also set up an online shop at www. itsnutfree.com

For more information on anaphylaxis, go to www.anaphylaxis.co.uk

peter.edwards@ypn.co.uk