Call for more food allergy warnings

Restaurants and cafes should take steps to warn customers about possible allergens in food, a watchdog has said.

Products made with ingredients which could spark an allergic reaction should have them listed on a card, label or menu, the Food Standards Agency said.

The watchdog's new guidelines for businesses follow evidence that food allergies are becoming more common.

Staff should always check whether a products contains a potential allergen when asked by a customer, the guidance says.

And up-to-date lists of ingredients for ready-made foods such as sandwich fillings should be kept to hand.

At present, firms which sell food prepared or wrapped on their own premises are not legally required to say whether their products contain potential allergens.

Those businesses include restaurants, cafes, bakeries, deli counters and salad bars.

The FSA on Wednesday, published new voluntary guidelines so firms selling food prepared on their premises can help customers avoid ingredients which could spark an allergic reaction.

Booklets and posters have been created to promote the guidance to catering businesses and staff. Ingredients which can prompt allergic reactions include nuts, milk, soya, mustard, eggs, shellfish, gluten and even celery.

The FSA's new guidance was welcomed by Coeliac UK, which represents people with gluten allergies. Coeliac UK chief executive Sarah Sleet said: "It is essential that cafes, delis and restaurants are fully aware of these guidelines and have a strategy for dealing with allergens be it from chefs to serving staff to ensure people with coeliac disease can make a safe choice."

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