Anaphylaxis Campaign

Supporting people at risk of severe allergies

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BBC Breakfast: Lynne Regent talks about the food labelling consultation which closes on the 29th March 2019

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26th March 2019

Lynne Regent, CEO of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, spoke to BBC Breakfast about the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs consultation on the proposed amendments to the domestic Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR) (England) and parallel FIR regulations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Lynne spoke about the options available and the changes we would like to see made.

Click here to listen to Lynne (skip to 2hrs 13mins – available until 9:15am 27/03/2019)

This review of allergen labelling legislation follows the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who died after eating a baguette from Pret a Manger at Heathrow airport in July 2016. The coroner who presided over the inquest of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse concluded that the current legislation is not adequate and requested a review. The Anaphylaxis Campaign would like to say how fantastic Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse have been in raising the issues around food safety for all individuals with food allergy at this very difficult time for them personally.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign believes that food allergic individuals must be able to make informed decisions and to assess risk and self-manage their condition when eating out. We welcome the government’s consultation as a way of understanding the views of all stakeholders and arriving at the best approach for all stakeholders and, in particular, those who suffer with food allergies.

We hope all food business that sell food pre-packed for direct sale engage with this consultation to ensure that feasibility across all business sizes is taken into consideration. We also hope food allergic individuals actively take part in this consultation and share their views on how they want this incredibly important information shared with them.

What is the current legislation for a food business that makes and sells food on the same site?

At present when a food business sells prepacked food for direct sale the same regulations apply as to non-prepacked food under the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation No. 1169/2011 commonly known as EU FIR 2014. This means food business preparing their products freshly on their premises are exempted from the obligation of labelling them with a list of ingredients including the provision of allergen information. This is because it is expected that the customer is able to speak with the person who made or packed the product to ask about ingredients. All mandatory allergen ingredients information (the 14) should be available and easily accessible for the consumer and this can be communicated through a variety of means to suit the business format of the food business operator.

What are the proposed options put forward in this consultation?

Policy option 1 – Promote best practice

Policy option 2 – Mandate “ask the staff” labels on packaging of food prepacked for direct sale, with supporting information for consumers in writing

Policy option 3 – Mandate name of the food and allergen labelling on packaging of food prepacked for direct sale

Policy option 4 – Mandate name of the food and full ingredient list labelling, with allergens emphasised, on packaging of food prepacked for direct sale

How to respond to the consultation

Please, first view and consider the consultation document, which explains the current legislation, the scope of the consultation and explains in detail the four different policy options. The document can be accessed here

Then provide your responses to the questions via an online survey, which can be accessed here

If you cannot respond online, you can request a copy of the survey and a response form by e-mailing [email protected]. Queries and completed surveys can also be sent here.

Please respond by 29 March 2019

You can find out more information about this consultation on the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs website here and can view the impact assessments here.

If you have any enquires, please contact our helpline on: 01252 542029 or [email protected]

New tools for withdrawing or recalling unsafe food

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March 2019

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have developed guidance to help food businesses carry out food safety withdrawals and recalls with greater ease and effectiveness. The Anaphylaxis Campaign were involved in the development of the guidance as members of Food Recalls Steering Group and one of the Working Groups, along with representatives from local authorities and the food industry.

The guidance explains what the law requires and how to comply. It also includes best practice on traceability system and how to inform consumers of a food recall.

You can access the Guidance on Food Traceability, Withdrawals and Recalls within the UK Food Industry here and access all the other resources via the FSA website here.

It is best practice that when a food is being recalled due to allergy issues that food business operators notify the relevant patient support organisations, including the Anaphylaxis Campaign.

How the Anaphylaxis Campaign can help Food Business with food recalls

Upon receipt of a notification of a food recall we can help inform food allergic individuals on issues that may pose a risk to their health by;

  • Providing information of the food recall on our website
  • Publishing information about the food recall on our social media channels
  • Issuing an email or text alert to signed up members

To notify the Anaphylaxis Campaign about a food recall relating to allergies please send relevant details to the Information Team via [email protected] or call 01252 542029

What is a food incident?

A food incident occurs when concerns around the safety or quality of food (and/or feed) may require action to protect consumers.

Incidents broadly fall into two categories:

  • contamination of food or animal feed in processing, distribution, retail and catering
  • environmental pollution incidents such as fires, chemical/oil spills and radiation leaks
What is the difference between product withdrawal and a product recall?
  • A withdrawal is when unsafe food is removed from the supply chain before it has reached consumers.
  • A recall is when unsafe food is removed from the supply chain and consumers are advised to take appropriate action, for example to return or dispose of the unsafe food.

 

Statement regarding the death of Lee Darker

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The Anaphylaxis Campaign is saddened to learn of the death of Lee Darker, a 48-year-old pest controller who was stung by a wasp during a routine call out on the 17th September 2017.

An inquest into his death held in Harrogate, North Yorkshire heard that he died after experiencing a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis after being stung by a wasp. It was noted at the inquest, that Lee had no known allergies and had previously been stung two weeks earlier 8 times but did not suffer any reaction.

The Senior coroner for the western area of North Yorkshire, Robert Turnbull recorded a conclusion of misadventure. He told the hearing: “It’s a tragic outcome. He died as a result of anaphylactic shock. He was going about his business and died not anticipating this would happen.”

Chief Executive of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, Lynne Regent, said:

“We are very saddened to learn about the death of Mr Darker as a result of this tragic accident and our thoughts are with his family and friends as they process the findings from the inquest into his death.

For a small minority of people, an allergy to the venom in a bee or wasp sting can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. If you experience a severe reaction to a bee or wasp sting, it’s important that you are taken to A&E and afterwards visit your GP as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.”

You may not have an allergic reaction the first time you are stung by a wasp or bee but there is a small risk that subsequent stings could lead to a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. In the UK, venom anaphylaxis is the second most frequent cause of anaphylaxis outside medical settings and more people are allergic to wasps than bees.

If you are at risk of insect venom anaphylaxis and would like more information and support, please call our national helpline on 01252 542029 or contact [email protected].

 

The Anaphylaxis Campaign partners with the Bee Resistant campaign to raise awareness about insect venom anaphylaxis. The campaign provides information on the symptoms to look out for and the range of avoidance and treatment options available to help reduce the risk:

‘Bee aware’ of the symptoms:

  • Feeling unwell and dizzy
  • Rapidly spreading rash
  • Wheezing and a tight chest
  • Swelling of the airways and throat
  • Weakness (caused by a drop-in blood pressure)
  • Physical collapse

‘Bee resistant’ by taking steps to reduce the risk:

  • Prevention – follow avoidance advice and tips.
  • Treatment – there are a range of treatment options available on the NHS to treat anaphylaxis which include carrying adrenaline auto-injectors and specialist treatments available from hospital-based allergy clinics.

‘Bee in the know’ – find out more:

  • In the event of a serious allergic reaction, call 999 immediately and state “anaphylaxis”.
  • Consult your GP for further information and guidance.

To find out more about the Bee Resistant campaign visit https://beeresistant.com or follow us on Twitter @BeeResistant or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BeeResistant.

Prescription Charge Increase in England

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The Government has announced that the NHS prescription charge in England is set to increase by 20p to £9.00 from Monday 1st April 2019. The cost of a prescription prepayment certificate for 3 months will remain £29.10 and a prescription prepayment certificate for 12 months will remain £104.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign are part of the Prescription Charges Coalition and are campaigning to extend exemption from prescription charges to all those with long-term conditions in England. The coalition brings together over 40 organisations representing hundreds of thousands of people with numerous long-term health conditions.  We are involved as the current system, created in 1968, is unfair and very out-of-date, with some long-term conditions qualifying people for free prescriptions whilst others do not. This affects us at the Anaphylaxis Campaign because allergy often requires regular and long-term prescriptions which are not exempt from charges despite being essential to day to day quality of life and, in the case of adrenaline injectors, lifesaving.

The impact of paying for prescriptions whilst living with a long-term condition is both serious and widespread as the Prescription Charges Coalition reports show. You can read the reports here.

 

For further information on the Prescription Charges Coalition, and to get involved, visit the website: http://www.prescriptionchargescoalition.org.uk/

You can also show your support or share your experiences via Twitter at @prescriptionCC

 

If you have any questions, please contact our helpline on: 01252 542029 or [email protected]

Two young girls from St Ninian’s High School show extreme courage as they take centre stage and host presentations to fellow pupils and teachers about living with allergies.

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Living with allergies isn’t something you should be concerned about talking to others about. In fact, being open and talking about the allergies you are living with could make things easier. The more people who have knowledge of the day to day struggles and the potentially fatal consequences, the better it will be for everyone. This is certainly something two brave young girls from St Ninian’s High school in East Renfrewshire thought.

Martha, aged 12 who has an allergy to peanuts and Holly, aged 17 who has allergies to milk (protein), nuts and avocado showed extreme courage as they spoke about their allergies to fellow pupils and teachers. The girls felt it was important to share their daily experiences and knowledge. The aim was to raise awareness and to educate the people around them about severe allergies, in the hope that anyone living with allergies would feel a little safer and less embarrassed.

The presentation covered a variety of facts from; what is an allergy, how allergic reactions happen, common allergens, symptoms, and treatment including medication and how to use it. They even had a few willing volunteers to demonstrate how to administer an adrenaline auto-injector using a training device. On top of the facts, they also spoke about understanding the effect of teasing has on young people. They showed their peers how to help instead – for example helping their friends remember their kit. A short video produced by Aimmune Therapeutics, “Leo’s story” was included to help the pupils understand how hard it is to live with an allergy.

Martha says, “I was being teased and so were some of my friends with severe allergies. I wanted people to realise that this isn’t a joke and it doesn’t define all of me. I hoped that if people understood how serious allergies can be, then they wouldn’t tease.”

Holly says, “Many of the teachers were impressed with the delivery and they were glad we did the talk and I personally feel more confident, and safer.”

It is important to understand how teasing can be upsetting but to tease someone about a medical condition cannot be excused.

The support the girls had from family members, friends, and teachers at St Ninian’s High School was amazing. Offers of help and encouragement came throughout the process. Paula, Martha’s mother, who is a volunteer for the Anaphylaxis Campaign, downloaded our Schools Allergy Awareness Resource Pack, which formed the base of the presentation.

Mr. John Docherty, Head Teacher said “Martha and Holly’s presentation was excellent and very well received by all pupils and staff. It was clearly on a subject that was very personal to them and their passion was evident for all to see. The presentation was extremely informative about the signs of anaphylaxis and what to do should you be with someone who has an allergy. We are very proud of both Holly and Martha who showed exceptional leadership of their peers and teachers.”

Before the presentation, the general knowledge of allergies and their effects was very low amongst the pupils. The girls aim to educate fellow pupils was a real success as their presentation was well received with lots of positive feedback. Comments included; “very educational, I understand that teasing can result in less confidence and we have the necessary information to quickly and safely respond in an emergency”. Due to this positive and well-executed presentation, the schools have also asked for Paula to hold separate presentations for all the staff.

One 12-year-old pupil said: “I really enjoyed the presentation as it taught me how to possibly save a friends life if they have anaphylaxis and I didn’t know that you could be allergic to such a wide range of products”

Not everyone will feel that doing presentations to large groups is within their reach, but even talking to their friends or people they hang around with goes a long way to achieving great awareness. Both Martha and Holly not only feel a sense of achievement but also feel safer in the school environment knowing that the pupils around them understand the seriousness of allergies and how to help in an emergency.

“We are so proud of them for their courage but also that they have shown other young people who are just as self-conscious and embarrassed that they can be confident, brave and unashamed.” Said Paula McMahon, Martha’s mother.

Both the girls believe that you must try to be confident in talking to other people about your allergy. People can’t help or understand if they don’t know about severe allergies. Always carry your kit with you, it can save your life and don’t let it hold you back.

22/02/2019

Consultation on allergen information on products pre-packed for direct sale

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Friday 29th March 2019

Update – This consultation has now closed. We will share information about the conclusions of the consultation in due course.

Friday 25th January 2019

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs have today opened a consultation on the proposed amendments to the domestic Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR) (England) and parallel FIR regulations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales relating to allergen information for foods that are prepacked for direct sale to the consumer on the same premises from which they are sold.

This timely review of allergen labelling legislation follows from the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who died after eating a baguette from Pret a Manger at Heathrow airport in July 2016. The coroner who presided over the inquest of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse concluded that the current legislation is not adequate and requested a review. The Anaphylaxis Campaign would like to say how fantastic Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse have been in raising the issues around food safety for all individuals with food allergy at this very difficult time for them personally.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign believes that food allergic individuals must be able to make informed decisions and to assess risk and self-manage their condition when eating out. We welcome the government’s consultation as a way of understanding the views of all stakeholders and arriving at the best approach for all stakeholders and, in particular, those who suffer with food allergies.

We hope all food business that sell food pre-packed for direct sale engage with this consultation to ensure that feasibility across all business sizes is taken into consideration. We also hope food allergic individuals actively take part in this consultation and share their views on how they want this incredibly important information shared with them.

What is the current legislation for a food business that makes and sells food on the same site?

At present when a food business sells prepacked food for direct sale the same regulations apply as to non-prepacked food under the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation No. 1169/2011 commonly known as EU FIR 2014. This means food business preparing their products freshly on their premises are exempted from the obligation of labelling them with a list of ingredients including the provision of allergen information. This is because it is expected that the customer is able to speak with the person who made or packed the product to ask about ingredients. All mandatory allergen ingredients information (the 14) should be available and easily accessible for the consumer and this can be communicated through a variety of means to suit the business format of the food business operator.

What are the proposed options put forward in this consultation?

Policy option 1 – Promote best practice

Policy option 2 – Mandate “ask the staff” labels on packaging of food prepacked for direct sale, with supporting information for consumers in writing

Policy option 3 – Mandate name of the food and allergen labelling on packaging of food prepacked for direct sale

Policy option 4 – Mandate name of the food and full ingredient list labelling, with allergens emphasised, on packaging of food prepacked for direct sale

How to respond to the consultation

Please, first view and consider the consultation document, which explains the current legislation, the scope of the consultation and explains in detail the four different policy options. The document can be accessed here

Then provide your responses to the questions via an online survey, which can be accessed here

If you cannot respond online, you can request a copy of the survey and a response form by e-mailing [email protected] Queries and completed surveys can also be sent here.

Please respond by 29 March 2019

You can find out more information about this consultation on the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs website here and can view the impact assessments here.

If you have any enquires, please contact our helpline on: 01252 542029 or [email protected]

Statement from Mylan on the availability of EpiPen® 0.3mg and 0.15mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

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We have received the following updated statement from Mylan regarding the availability of EpiPen® 0.3mg and EpiPen® Jr 0.15mg Adrenaline Auto-Injector.

Overview

In 2018 Mylan’s manufacturing partner Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company, experienced interruptions in the production of EpiPen 0.3mg and EpiPen Jr 0.15mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs).

During this period, and to help manage product availability on an ongoing basis until a steady supply resumed, Mylan allocated product on a prescription-only basis for both EpiPen 0.3mg and 0.15mg, meaning patients could obtain up to a maximum of two EpiPen AAIs per prescription.

Over the last few months, the product has continued to ship, and we are seeing improvement in patient’s ability to readily access both EpiPen 0.3mg and EpiPen 0.15mg in the UK.

Availability of EpiPen 0.3mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

There is currently a good availability of EpiPen 0.3mg and the prescription validation process previously assigned is no longer in place.

Pharmacies are now able to place orders and hold a supply of EpiPen 0.3mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors.

Patients can present their prescription to a pharmacy to fulfil their prescription the same day, however, you should check with your pharmacy to ensure that supply has been received and is available.

EpiPen 0.3mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors – Extended Use Beyond Labelled Expiry Date for Select Lots

To address the previous supply constraints of EpiPen 0.3mg, Mylan UK worked with the MHRA to obtain its approval to the use of nine specific lot (batch) numbers of EpiPen 0.3mg Auto-Injectors beyond the labelled expiry date by four months. Some of the affected lot numbers are listed in the table below.

The extended use beyond expiry date is based on a careful review by Mylan and the MHRA of data about these specific batches provided by Pfizer.

The relevant affected lots, which have labelled expiry dates between September 2018 and November 2018 are listed in the table below.

 

Lot Labelled Expiry Date

(end of the month)

 Extended Use by Date

(end of the month)
6FA794J 07.2018 11.2018
6FA795Y 07.2018 11.2018
7FA112F 09.2018 01.2019
7FA106B 09.2018 01.2019
7FA283B 10.2018 02.2019
7FA251D 10.2018 02.2019
7FA250B 10.2018 02.2019
7FA265C 11.2018 03.2019
7FA265B 11.2018 03.2019

 

Important: the extended use only applies to the lots of EpiPen 0.3mg auto-injectors listed in the table above.

The extension of the use beyond the labelled expiry date does not apply to EpiPen Jr 0.15mg auto-injectors or any EpiPen 0.3mg lot numbers not specified above. Patients must continue to adhere to the manufacturer’s expiry date labelled on any EpiPen not covered by the lot numbers above.

Further information

  • To make sure patients can access their medicines during this supply constraint, the period that the nine specific lots of EpiPen 0.3mg (listed above) can be used has been extended by a further four months beyond the labelled expiry date on the pack.
  • You can find the lot number on the end-flap of the box and on the EpiPen itself. If you’re unsure whether your EpiPen is affected, please talk to your pharmacist.
  • This extension of use beyond the labelled expiry date is based on data showing these nine batches of EpiPen 0.3mg auto-injectors will work just as well for this period. This has been reviewed by the UK medicines regulator, MHRA.  EpiPen auto-injectors should continue to be stored as labelled on the pack.
  • As with all EpiPens, patients should periodically visually inspect the adrenaline solution through the viewing window to make sure the solution is clear and colourless. If it is discoloured or contains solid particles the EpiPen should be replaced as soon as possible.
  • At the end of the extended use beyond the labelled expiry date period (the end of the month listed in the right column above), you will still need to obtain a new auto-injector by the usual means.
  • Please note that the information provided in this letter supersedes any other communication that you may receive from the Expiry Alert Service.

Availability of EpiPen Jr 0.15mg Adrenaline Auto-Injector

EpiPen Jr 0.15mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors are currently available.

To help manage product availability on an ongoing basis until a steady supply resumes, pharmacies are allocated product on a prescription-only basis and can place orders for up to a maximum of two EpiPen Jr 0.15mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors per prescription.

Patients should present their prescription to a pharmacy who will be able to place an order for up to a maximum of two EpiPen Jr 0.15mg Auto-Injectors per prescription.

Pharmacies are able to place orders for up to a maximum of two EpiPen Jr 0.15mg Adrenaline Auto-Injectors per prescription and should follow the Instructions for Pharmacists when placing orders.

A reminder that the extension of the use beyond the labelled expiry date for the nine lots of EpiPen 0.3mg listed above does not apply to any EpiPen Jr 0.15mg auto-injectors or any EpiPen 0.3mg lot numbers not specified. Please continue to adhere to the manufacturer’s expiry date labelled on any EpiPen 0.3mg not covered by the lot numbers above and all EpiPen Jr 0.15mg auto-injectors.

Information for Patients

Mylan is unable to make any specific treatment recommendation to individual patients. Patients should speak to their healthcare provider for appropriate actions to be taken. However, if you have a question about your EpiPen device please contact our Medical Information team who will be able to help you: +(0) 1707 853 000 or email: [email protected].

Information for Prescribers

Please note, when validating the expiry date of an adrenaline auto-injector, the product expires on the last day of the month indicated. For example, if it expires in February, it remains valid (not expired) until February 28.

Instructions for Pharmacists

Pharmacies that are presented with a prescription for EpiPen Jr 0.15mg Auto-Injectors can place an order for up to a maximum of two EpiPen Jr 0.15mg Auto-Injectors per prescription. Please send anonymized prescriptions to Alliance Healthcare’s prescription validation service, either by Fax (0330 332 8126) or email ([email protected]). Please include your Alliance Healthcare account number when placing your order.

Contact Information

Telephone: +44 (0)1707 853 000

Medical Information e-mail: [email protected]

 

 

If you are prescribed AAIs, to be well equipped during this time, we advise you to.

  • Check the expiry date on your medication regularly
  • If needed, get a repeat prescription from your GP well in advance
  • Do not dispose of any ‘expired’ AAI devices before you have a new AAI prescription
  • If necessary, revisit your GP to ask if they can prescribe an alternative medication
  • If you are prescribed an alternative AAI device, ensure that you know how to use it and train others that may need to use it in an emergency

Do continue to always carry your AAIs with you and follow your usual risk management techniques to avoid your allergen and reduce the likelihood that you will experience a severe allergic reaction and need to use your adrenaline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis (pronounced ana-fill-ax-is) is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction that can be fatal. Severe symptoms such as a swollen tongue, difficulty breathing or becoming unconscious usually develop suddenly, often within minutes after being exposed to an allergy trigger such as a particular food, insect stings or certain drugs. There’s no cure for anaphylaxis, so people at risk have two options: manage their condition and carry adrenaline, a potentially lifesaving emergency medication. You can find out more about anaphylaxis in our anaphylaxis factsheet: www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/our-factsheets.

 What is an Adrenaline Auto-Injector?

Adrenaline is the first line treatment for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and is available on prescription in a pre-loaded injection device known as an Adrenaline Auto-Injector or AAI for self-use in an emergency. The AAIs prescribed in the UK at present are Emerade®, EpiPen® and Jext®. You can find out more about adrenaline in our adrenaline factsheet: www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/our-factsheets.

How do I check the expiry date on my AAIs?

As some of the additional stock available in the UK at present has an expiry date of October 2018, we are advising patients to check the expiry date on their Adrenaline Auto-Injectors when they receive them and not to dispose of any ‘expired’ AAI devices before they have obtained a new device.

Your AAI devices will have instructions for use printed on the outside and generally will have a shelf life of up to 18 months. The expiry date will be printed on the casing. Each of the three companies who distribute AAIs run an expiry alert service. If you register your device and expiry date with them, they will send you a reminder when it is due to expire.

Whichever devices you have been prescribed, it is important that you keep your AAIs in their original containers to prevent light exposure, do not store them above 25°C and do not freeze them. If the liquid in your AAI appears cloudy or discoloured, it should be replaced with a new device. If the liquid in the device is not cloudy or discoloured, the AAI device can still be used in an emergency.

What should I do if I have concerns about my prescription during a supply issue?

If you are worried about your prescription, we advise you to visit your GP and discuss this directly with them. If necessary, your GP can prescribe an alternative medication.

What should my pharmacist do if they are experiencing issues?

Your pharmacist should contact the supplier of your AAI through their distribution partner e.g. Alliance Healthcare, or their customer service department directly for updates regarding any issues they experience.

I have been prescribed a new brand of AAI, what should I do?

We believe your GP or pharmacist should make sure you know how to use your new brand of AAI. You should also train anyone who might be required to administer it in an emergency, such as family members and friends. You can order a trainer pen to practice with and find further help on the website relevant to the medication you carry.

An Emerade® trainer can be ordered from the Emerade® website: www.emerade-bausch.co.uk.

An EpiPen® trainer can be ordered from the EpiPen® websitehttp://www.epipen.co.uk.

A Jext® trainer can be ordered on the Jext websitehttp://www.jext.co.uk.

Can I get help with my prescription costs?

If you require support with prescription costs, prescription prepayment certificates (PPC) are available or you may be able to get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). Find out more on the NHS Business Services Authority website here: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-help-health-costs.

I have a different question, can you help?

You can reach Bausch + Lomb UK customer services via +44 (0)208 781 2920.

You can reach Mylan UK customer services via +44 (0)1707 853 100.

You can reach ALK-Abelló customer services via 0118 903 7940.

You can contact our helpline and information team at [email protected] or call 01252 542 029 for support between Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

A BBC Panorama Investigation into restaurants listed on the Just Eat app has found that several of them provided incorrect allergen information

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The investigation by BBC Panorama found that some restaurants listed on Just Eat were unable to provide information on the presence of allergens within the dishes when requested.

As part of the investigation, the BBC also sent two dishes purchased from two different restaurants listed on Just Eat for testing to identify if they contained wheat and gluten, after the two restaurants confirmed the dishes to be free from them. The results showed that both the dishes from two different restaurants did contain wheat and gluten after the restaurants told the customer they did not.

These results are a cause for concern and the Anaphylaxis Campaign is dismayed by food businesses flouting allergen labelling laws and untimely putting food allergic customers at risk.

When ordering food through a third party such as Just Eat or Deliveroo who is responsible for providing allergen information?

When a third party is involved in distance sales such as ‘Just Eat or Deliveroo’ the food business and the third party must work together to ensure that the required allergen information is provided to the consumer, and that the consumer is clear on how to obtain the allergen information. However, the ultimate responsibility for current and accurate allergen information to be given to the consumer lies with the food business.

If you are going to order food through a third-party broker, such as Just Eat or Deliveroo we strongly advise that you make direct contact with the food business to ask about allergens. Some example questions to ask;

  • I have an allergy to X, can you cater for this?
  • Can I see the allergen information?
  • Can I, or can you, speak to the chef about how my meal is prepared?
  • How is cross-contamination of my allergen prevented?
  • Can you make a note about my allergy on my order?
  • Can you confirm this meal is free from my allergen?

If a food business informs you that they cannot safety cater for you due to your allergy or you are not confident in their answers it is best to not take the risk and not order food from them.

What are the laws related to food business and the provision of allergen information?

Food business has the right to not serve customers if they do not want to, for example, if they believe they cannot safely provide food for them. However, if they do agree to serve you there are several different laws they must abide by, in reference to allergens:

The European Union Food Information for Consumers Regulation which came into force on 13 December 2014.

  • Information on any of the 14 allergens used as ingredients will need to be provided for foods sold without packaging or wrapped on site. This information should be available and easily accessible to all customers, it can be provided in writing, or given verbally, however, there must be clear visible signs displayed to inform customers how to obtain allergen information.

What should I do if I believe a food business has served me food that contains my allergen after they said it did not?

The Food Standards Agency is responsible for food safety and food hygiene across the UK and it works with local authorities to enforce food safety regulations. You can report a food problem via the Food Standards Agency website here.

You will be asked for information relating to where you ate, what you ordered and what information you gave the food business in relation to allergens. This will all be then passed to your local environmental health or trading standards team who will conduct the investigation. If you have a sample of the food, you should let them know about this. The investigation will set to find out if the business was compliant with the allergen legislation.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign is celebrating 25 years of supporting people at risk of severe allergies

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In 1993, Co-founder David Reading tragically lost his daughter Sarah at the young age of 17. She had not been previously diagnosed with a food allergy but was being treated for Asthma. Minutes after eating a dessert containing crushed peanuts, Sarah became unwell, began wheezing and said her mouth felt funny, she collapsed and died within minutes. Wanting something positive to come out of this traumatic experience the Anaphylaxis Campaign was formed in 1994 to bridge a gap in the lack of awareness about how serious food allergies can be.

25 years on and David Reading is still very much involved with the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Our charity continues to grow and provides support and advice to individuals, parents, carers, the food industry, the education sector, health professionals and other key audiences. Our ultimate aim, which has not changed over the years, is to create a safe environment for all people at risk of severe allergic reactions, focusing on the medical facts, food labelling, risk reduction and allergen management. This cannot be achieved without your support and kind donations.

With this in mind, we would like to say a big thank you to all our supporters for helping us to continue this vital work.

What we do

  • Provide a National Helpline and information services, providing advice by
  • Establish and run local Support Group meetings with our volunteer Support Group Leaders
  • Provide free online training for families, individuals and carers and tailored online training for healthcare professionals such as school nurses, first aid trainers, GP’s and Practice Nurses
  • Campaign to improve allergy services within the NHS, workplace and educational environments
  • Provide information through our Knowledgebase and Factsheets for everyone to gain a better understanding of allergens

Through your support and  donations you allow us to continue this vital work.

We are looking forward to another 25 years of supporting people at risk of severe allergies.

Nothing will stop 12-year-old Frank from enjoying playing football, not even a severe allergy

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05/12/2018

When considering everyday life with a severe allergy, you wouldn’t necessarily be aware of the impact this would have on routine tasks, such as playing football. Anaphylaxis Campaign Support Group Leader Tracey Dunn highlights the areas she has to think about when choosing football coaching for son Frank and how preparation was key for a football trip to Dublin.

Tracey explains “We found out that Frank had a peanut allergy when he was six, we knew he was allergic to animals however he was given a selection pack from his Beaver Colony for Christmas. One night he looked poorly, he had bitten into a Snickers bar, so we went to hospital who confirmed it was an allergic reaction which was managed by antihistamine and Ventolin.  At a later hospital appointment a skin prick test was carried out which confirmed he was allergic to peanuts as well as animals.

Frank’s love of football may not have come as a surprise to Tracey who mentions they are a complete football household. Frank started playing for his development centre; Wiltshire Football Academy two years ago and plays both defence and on the left wing. The opportunity for Frank to represent his football team in Dublin arose and while this was a very exciting time it did require Tracey to consider Frank travelling, eating and accessing his medication on a busy trip.

Prior to the trip Tracey made sure that the coaches, teammates and other parents were aware of Frank’s allergies and were vigilant. All the coaches were first aid trained and Tracey explains that they had been teaching Frank about his allergy and the things he needs to ask. “We are teaching him and equipping him with what he needs to do to keep himself safe, it’s all in the preparation.” Tracey also contacted the hotel and pub where they would be eating beforehand and spoke to the kitchen staff several times.

Tracy explains that Ryanair were great when accommodating Frank’s allergies and made an announcement on the flight informing other passengers about his allergies and requested that nuts were not consumed. While on the trip Frank was accompanied by his dad and self-carried his medication in a day sack in an insulated case which everyone knew contains his AAIs. While Frank was playing football his adrenaline auto injectors were kept on the side line. It was a successful trip for the team who won most of the games they played!

When asked what advice she would give to others Tracey said “You’re more than your allergy! Don’t be afraid to ask questions. We take each situation as it arises, we manage it to find a way to enable Frank to do what he wants. We eat out a lot and find chains like Giraffe have lots of allergy information and are fantastic at accommodating Frank’s allergies.”

We are so grateful to Tracey and Frank for sharing their story with us and their tips for travelling, we look forward to seeing how Frank’s football career develops and where it takes him in the future!