Food Allergies

[Assistanttotheregionalmanager]

Just wondering if anyone else is frustrated by lack of awareness for food allergies. My daughter has a dairy allergy and this can result in a very limited diet. When we go to restaurants - rarely - like Harvester or other similar ones they are great in terms of being very clear about what she can and can’t have and the staff all seem very clued up on these requirements. I always bring food for her by the way just in case and with increasing vegan options available she usually has a varied diet.

Yesterday we visited an area for a day out - I brought food as ever - but enquired at different places as to whether she could/couldnt have their food ie chips. Not one place we visited knew the answer. The staff asked all just said ‘probably not’ and there was very little in the way of knowledge and this was at 3 different places. They all just said ‘hmm well we would have to check x and y and actually we’d say probably not’

I’m probably being unreasonable but its difficult when she says things like I just want to be ‘normal’ and gets upset. I just feel places should be clearer and cater better to allergy sufferers.

Yep. Many places don’t seem to understand it’s a legal requirement to be able to tell you the ingredients. Have you been told yet by chiefs that she can’t have eggs because they are diary? The lack of knowledge in the food industry can be shocking.

Yes and been told garlic bread had dairy in it despite having been brought out the packet and it clearly saying it didnt.

I suspect it's made even harder now as so many places offer vegan options and assume that will cover dairy allergies without realising that many vegan products are 'may contain' for milk.

Yes very true

Hi , as a severe nut allergy sufferer myself I have felt the same exclusions particularly when it come to eating outside of the house. This is why I have decided to focus my final year university project on allergy management and how it could be improved it would be great if you could fill in this 3 minute survey your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY LINK
Charlotte

Unfortunately it's often safer to go for some of the larger chain restaurants. They usually have allergen lists, often found on their website, produced centrally. This does although depend on the staff not going off plan.

I find restaurants either take it seriously, don’t or think you’re far too much trouble to bother with. I hate eating out.

I have a dairy allergy. When arriving at a restaurant, I ask to see the allergy book and the manager. Some say I shouldn't eat there - fair enough, some just spout unconvincing bullshit - I leave, a few seem quite knowledgeable - great (but few and far between).

Only been got by one coffee shop, who gave me gluten free cake rather than dairy free.

Oh and one of my good friends, who fed me god knows what. I'm now hypersensitised and can't even go to a supermarket with an open deli counter or bakery.

Judging by the other allergy thread going, most people are quite unaware handling allergies, even if they think they are competent.