• I, as a concerned parent and advocate for allergy awareness, am writing this petition to bring attention to the urgent need for allergies to be taken seriously in the United Kingdom. This issue is personal to me because my daughter has been diagnosed with a CMPA allergy, which requires her to strictly avoid dairy products. Unfortunately, since her diagnosis, we have encountered numerous instances where restaurants and cafes fail to understand the severity of food allergies and do not take appropriate measures to ensure our loved ones' safety or have stated they can not guarantee her safety as cross contamination may be a possibility.

One incident that deeply affected us was when we visited a cafe and explicitly requested that the meal be prepared without any dairy products due to her allergy. Despite mentioning the allergy twice and emphasizing its importance, they still used dairy butter on her meal. This lack of understanding and disregard for our concerns puts lives at risk.

This being said, there have been numerous establishments that have been incredibly understanding and have taken the necessary steps to ensure her safety including rewashing of equipment and managers coming to take orders. This shows that simple adaptations by allergy aware staff can have a huge impact!

Restaurants in England are not required to display their Food Hygiene ratings and are not required to inform customers of all the ingredients used in a meal. It is crucial that we address this issue as it affects not only individuals with allergies but also their families who constantly worry about their loved ones' well-being. Allergies are not simply dietary preferences; they are potentially life-threatening conditions that require proper attention from establishments serving food.

To support our cause, let us consider some relevant facts:

1) According to Allergy UK, approximately 44% of adults in the UK suffer from at least one allergy.

2) According to AllergyUK, the number of people hospitalised due to a food allergy has more than doubled over the last two decades to 25, 721 in 2022-23.

3) A study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy found that children with food allergies experience lower quality of life compared to those without allergies.

These statistics highlight the urgency of implementing stricter regulations regarding allergen management within food establishments across the UK. We must ensure that businesses are held accountable for providing accurate information about allergens present in their products and taking necessary precautions against cross-contamination.

By signing this petition, we call upon the UK government and relevant authorities to take immediate action by:

1) Implementing a new food hygiene standard that means establishments must be able to guarantee they can prevent cross contamination in order to receive a Food Hygiene Rating of 5.

2) Mandating comprehensive training for all food industry personnel on allergy awareness, including cross-contamination prevention with evidence being displayed for all customers.

3) Establishing a centralized database or platform where individuals can easily access accurate information about allergen-free options at various establishments, including their allergy prevention rating.

Together, let us create a safer environment for those with allergies in the UK. It is time for allergies to be taken seriously, ensuring that no one's health or life is put at risk due to negligence or lack of awareness. Let us stand united in advocating for change and making our voices heard.

 

#AllergyAwarenessUK #SafetyFirst