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Shopping & Preparing Food

On the page you can find out more about food labelling and how to manage the risks when preparing food for someone with a serious food allergy.

Shopping

Food labelling laws state that food companies must always declare the presence of 14 major allergens when they appear in pre-packed food, and these must be highlighted in the ingredients list (for example, in bold type).  People with food allergies must read the ingredient list every time they buy a product, even if they have bought it before. Recipes sometimes change.

Warning labels stating that a product “may contain” a particular allergen, such as nuts, are infuriating because they limit choice and make shopping complicated. But often these warnings are there for a reason because of the risks of cross-contamination during the production chain.  Don’t ignore these warnings.  You may eat a product numerous times without having a reaction, but the next time you may not be so lucky.  Cross-contamination can be intermittent.

At Home

Preparing food for someone with a serious food allergy can be challenging, but managing the risk is a matter of common sense. Simple meals, using fresh meat and vegetables, avoid many of the pitfalls that sometimes arise with packaged foods.

As a household you may decide to give up the offending food, banning it from entering the home. This may guard against mistakes being made and avoid cross-contamination.

If you choose not to ban the allergenic food, be scrupulous about keeping risky foods apart from the safe ones. Wash your hands, cutlery and utensils to prevent cross-contamination. Use plenty of soapy water.  To be on the safe side, use separate crockery, cutlery and chopping boards for different foods. Avoid splatters and spillages by covering food up.