Sefton Council supporting campaign to give young people voice on food allergies

Sefton Council is supporting the Food Standards Agency’s new ‘Speak Up For Allergies’ campaign.

‘Speak Up For Allergies’ has been developed to encourage young adults to speak up about their food allergies when they order a takeaway.

Research shows that young people and children are at a higher risk of experiencing food allergy reactions.

While many are confident about managing their food allergy themselves, they can be less likely to tell a café or restaurant about their allergy. This is particularly the case if they have eaten a meal from the same place before.

Young people should call directly to make sure the person taking the order fully understands their food allergy, says the FSA. This is better than relying on online or in-app allergen information.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said: “While most young people, who are aware they have food allergies are very good at managing them, they may forget to mention them or be less confident about raising them when ordering a takeaway.

“This Food Standards Agency ‘Speak Up For Allergies’ campaign information at www.food.gov.uk/SpeakUpForAllergies provides young with some useful advice for staying safe by living with, managing and communicating their food allergy.”

Rebecca Sudworth, Director of Policy at the Food Standards Agency said: “Our research has revealed that young people are eating takeaways more often than before lockdown. With eating-in being the new eating out, it is vital that young people with food allergies and their friends remember to speak to the restaurant every time they make an order. Even if it’s a meal they’ve eaten before, because ingredients, recipes and staff can change.

“If you, or your friends or family have a food allergy, it’s important to never be complacent. That’s why we’re reminding people to be allergy aware and remember to ask, even when ordering the usual.”

SpeakUpForAllergies is being promoted on social media and is supported by food delivery platforms such as Just Eat and Uber Eats.