If you’re looking to pamper your dad but severe allergies are causing you concern, our Father’s Day allergy guide can offer you a few top tips to help make the day go smoothly.
Eating Out
Eating out with a food allergy can be a stressful experience. By law, food businesses selling catered food (for example in restaurants, takeaways and hotels) are required to provide information on any of the 14 major food allergens in the food they serve. Currently, they are permitted to provide this information in any format they choose, including verbally only.
We’d recommend calling the restaurant in advance to ask whether they will help you choose a suitable meal. Then, when you arrive, speak to staff and ask about ingredients, how the food is prepared and whether cross-contamination is likely. Check again when your meal arrives that your dish is free from your allergens and that it has been prepared safely.
For more guidance on how to prepare and stay safe when eating out, please see our guide here.
Members can also check our ‘Tried and Trusted’ area to find out which restaurants have been approved by other allergic people. Not a member? Click here to find out more.
Top Tips:
- Call the food business beforehand and explain you/your family member’s allergies – discuss suitable dishes.
- Ensure all staff are aware of the allergy and the impacts contamination could have.
- Be diligent – never assume just because a certain dish was safe before that it always is.
- If you have been prescribed adrenaline, have your two auto-injectors close to hand, just in case.
Buying Gifts
Allergens can find their way into variety of products so read on for our top tips to help decrease the risk of an allergic reaction occurring on Dad’s special day.
Top Tips:
- Check the labels of any food products carefully – allergens can appear in unexpected places.
- In cosmetics, some allergens may appear in the list in Latin – our ‘Cosmetics, Personal Care Products and Medicines’ factsheet has a handy list of some Latin names to look out for.
- If you have been prescribed adrenaline, have your two auto-injectors close to hand, just in case.
Safe gift ideas:
You can avoid most allergens all together by choosing one of these safe options:
- A photo frame and photo of you and your father – this can be a really nice, personal gift.
- A mug, beer glass, etc. – if your dad likes a good cuppa or a pint once in a while this could be an ideal safe gift for him.
- Handcrafted gift – if you’re artistically inclined a drawing of you and your dad, a knitted scarf or any other handmade item is a really personal way of saying happy father’s day.
- A gift card for his favourite shop – this is a safe gift and allows your dad to get exactly what he wants.
For more information, contact our helpline on 01252 542029 or email [email protected]