A survey by the Food Standards Agency and Allergy UK has found that one quarter of allergy-sufferers experienced an allergic reaction to food while eating out in a cafe or restaurant in the past year. Of these, one-fifth required hospital treatment.
But respondents to the survey reported that their eating-out experience had improved since new regulations requiring allergens to be more clearly labelled on menus came into force a year ago. Around 2 million people in the UK suffer from allergies, including 2% of adults and 8% of children.
The EU Food Information for Consumers (FIC) legislation came into force in December 2014, and means that food businesses have to make information on 14 allergens available to consumers. This ranges from the most common allergens, such as peanuts and gluten, to less well known triggers for allergic reactions such as mustard and celery.
However, people with allergies still report a number of problems when eating out. More than two-thirds have experienced staff not understanding the severity of an allergy, and how easily a mistake can cause a reaction. A similar number (68%) have seen staff with a lack of knowledge of what’s on the menu or in the food. Over half of allergic consumers (56%) said they had been made to feel like an inconvenience due to their allergy.
The FSA advises anyone experiencing a problem related to allergens in a cafe or restaurant to report it to their local authority.
Find out more about Sustain's work on safe and healthy food here.
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
