Last week was Food Allergy Week, an awareness week by Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) and the National Allergy Council  to promote understanding of food allergy to help protect those at risk by educating and supporting both people with food allergy and anyone that serves them food.

This year’s theme was: ‘When eating out: Always ask. Always tell’.

A survey found 98% of people living with allergies felt anxious and stressed when it came to eating out, and their parents or caregivers, believe it would be easier to tell people about their food allergy if there was ‘more food service training’ on food allergies (86%) and ‘if food service staff asked about allergies’ more proactively (80%). In most cases, those not wanting to speak up about their allergy did not want to be a burden or draw attention to themselves. And among the under 18’s, the main barrier was embarrassment.

Experts have called for mandatory allergy training of food service staff and the National Allergy Council is working with Education Departments in each state and territory for the training to be included in schools’ anaphylaxis policies and procedures.

The Queensland Association of School Tuckshops agrees, and already recommends as best practice that all those working in school tuckshops and canteens undertake the free ‘All about Allergens for Schools’ course provided by the National Allergy Council. This training should be undertaken at least every two years with a register kept with the names of staff and volunteers who complete the training and the date of completion.

Whilst tuckshops and school canteens should not claim they are allergen-free, all staff and volunteers responsible for preparing and serving food should have a basic understanding of common food allergens, be able to recognise the symptoms of an allergic reaction, and know the appropriate actions to take.