Ask the Food Standards Agency experts your questions about food allergies and intolerances - £200 voucher to be won

[LucyBMumsnet]

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Over the last year, many of us have indulged in more takeaways than ever before. While takeaways are a well deserved treat, we should always be mindful of the precautions we need to take when ordering food, especially if someone in the group has a food allergy.

Research shows that 18 - 21 year olds are at a higher risk of experiencing food allergy incidents.* While they may feel more confident about managing their food allergy, they could be less likely to tell a business about this allergy if they had eaten at the premises before, as they feel ‘safe’.

With this in mind the Food Standards Agency is bringing in a panel of experts to answer your questions about food allergies and intolerances, and help you to equip your children to be takeaway safe.

Whether you’d like to know the difference between a food allergy and intolerance, find out tips for helping your children order safely, or hear why it’s important to always speak directly to the restaurant each time you order food, the Food Standards Agency experts will be online on 10th March to answer your questions.

Here’s what the Food Standards Agency has to say: “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. That’s why we’re launching our #SpeakUpForAllergies campaign. We’re working with Mumsnet to provide parents with advice on food allergies – particularly around how to support 18 to 21 year olds, who we know from our research are at higher risk of experiencing food allergy incidents.*”

Want to know who will be responding to your questions and comments? Find out more about the Food Standards Agency’s experts below:

Arvind Thandi, Team Leader – Food Hypersensitivity, Food Standards Agency
Arvind works in the Food Hypersensitivity policy team in the FSA, on projects aiming to improve the quality of life for people with food allergies and intolerances.

Sarah Baker, Campaign Manager - Anaphylaxis Campaign
Sarah is a health professional with over 40 years of experience working in the NHS. Sarah has been leading the Anaphylaxis Campaign campaigns working closely with the information team and will provide insight into the development and impact of these today.

Holly Shaw, Clinical Nurse Advisor - Allergy UK
Holly is a Clinical Nurse Advisor in the allergy speciality. She has 19 years nursing experience including a Certificate in Allergy Nursing from the University of South Australia. Holly is also a member of the British Society of Clinical Allergy and Immunology.

All who post a question on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

*^www.food.gov.uk/research/research-projects/the-covid-19-consumer-research^

[LucyBMumsnet]

Thanks to everyone who posted a question for the panel of experts to answer. The winner of the prize draw is @Olinguito- congratulations!