Eating out with a food allergy in the UK: Change in the eating out practices of consumers with food allergy following introduction of allergen information legislation

Abstract

Background

Strict allergen avoidance is important in day-to-day management of food allergy and avoidance when eating outside the home can present particular difficulties. EU legislation (EU FIC) introduced in December 2014 aimed to improve food allergen information provision for customers by requiring retailers of non-prepacked foods to provide information related to the content of one or more of 14 specified food allergens within their foods.

Objectives

To investigate the impact of EU FIC on the behaviours, experiences and attitudes of consumers with food allergy when eating out.

Methods

As part of longitudinal research, participants with food allergy from across the UK took part in either A) pre and post legislation in-depth interviews, or B) pre and post legislation surveys. In-depth interviews were carried out with 28 participants pre and post legislation, and analysed using the framework approach. Self-report surveys were completed by 129 participants pre and post legislation, and responses were subject to quantitative analyses.

Results

Improvements in allergen information provision and raised awareness of food allergy in eating out venues was reported following introduction of EU FIC. Whilst participants favoured written allergen information, they expressed greater confidence in communicating with eating out staff and in trusting the allergen information that they provided. Improvements were judged to be gradual, sporadic or inconsistent in implementation.

Conclusion & clinical relevance

For many participants, the 'ideal' eating out experience was one in which a range of information resources were available, and where written allergen information was complemented by proactive and accommodating staff within an allergy-aware environment. Whilst the onus is on legislators and food providers to ensure that adequate allergen information is provided, clinicians play an important role in encouraging patients with food allergy to pursue their legal right to make allergen enquiries in order to avoid accidental allergen ingestion when eating out.

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