Teenagers and Young People are Among Those More at Risk of Food Allergy Reactions
A campaign to help young people manage their food allergies has been launched by the Food Standards Agency.
Living with a food allergy can affect people in different ways. Having a food allergy can pose extra challenges to daily tasks and have unexpected impacts on new experiences.
For teenagers and young adults with a food allergy, navigating the new experiences that come with these stages of life can bring about extra risks.
Research shows that children and young people are at a higher risk of experiencing food allergy reactions. And while many are confident about managing their food allergy in general, they are less likely to tell a café or restaurant about their allergy, particularly if they have eaten a meal from the same place before.
It’s because of this that the FSA
#SpeakUpForAllergies campaign aims to encourage young people to always speak to the restaurant about their food allergies, even if it's a meal they've had before. Never assume a meal will be safe, as ingredients can change.
For advice for young allergy suffers eating out in restaurants or ordering take-aways, visit: https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/advice-for-teenagers-and-young-adults-with-a-food-allergy
Simon Cripwell, Senior Trading Standards Officer, Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards