Protecting people with food allergies when they eat out

A NEW campaign is being launched to help protect young people with food allergies when eating out.

The campaign, called It’s Easy to Ask, was launched in response to a recent Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey which found that 60% of young people with a food allergy or intolerance have avoided eating out in the last six months due to their condition.

Now, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is partnering with colleagues at the FSA to launch the campaign designed to help to breakdown this barrier.

Easy to Ask reminds food establishments to ask customers about their dietary needs, and help put people with food allergies at ease.

The campaign follows three simple prompts; Always ask about allergies, Speak Up and Keep Safe.

The latest research by the agency, in partnership with Allergy UK and the Anaphylaxis Campaign, reveals that 41% of young people - aged 16 to 24 - with food allergies or intolerances do not feel confident to ask serving staff for allergen information.

It has revealed that many young people are too embarrassed to talk publicly about the issue, especially when dining in a social setting with their peers, often risking allergic reactions or even more fatal consequences.

Executive Member for Environmental Services at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Cllr Kevin Morrell, said: “We’ve seen real progress in how food businesses approach customers with allergies.

“It’s clear there is more to be done to encourage this particular age group to speak up and make them feel at ease when dining out.

“We want to ensure businesses are prepared with the relevant allergy information and encourage them to make it easier for everyone to ask the question, speak up and help keep those at risk safe which is what the ‘Easy to ASK’ campaign is all about.”

Dr Chun-Han Chan, food allergy policy lead at the Food Standards Agency, added: “Working in partnership with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council we are dedicated to encouraging conversations between food businesses and their customers across the country.

“Together we want to help young people living with food allergies be confident that the food they are served is safe to consume every time.

“Our easy to ASK campaign aims to empower customers, whether they live with a food allergy or not.”