Food Allergies

When someone has a food allergy, their immune system reacts to a particular food as if it isn't safe. If someone has a severe food allergy, this can cause a life-threatening reaction.

Advice for caterers on food allergens and intolerance

In the UK about ten people die every year from an allergic reaction to food, and many more end up in hospital. In most cases, the food that causes the reaction is from a restaurant or takeaway.

Allergy 'Chef Cards'

The FSA have launched an interactive chef card to help people with food allergy or intolerance when they're eating out.

Allergy SMS Text Message Service

The Food Standards Agency operates a free Allergy SMS Text Message Service. It alerts people with a food allergy, who have signed up to the service, with an immediate notification that a product may be of risk to them.

Vegetable oil allergy

Vegetable oil is usually a blend of oils. In the UK, the oils used most in vegetable oil are soya, rapeseed, sunflower, maize and palm kernel oils.

This page last updated on September 20 2011