FOOD businesses are reminded about labelling rules to mark Allergy Awareness Week 2016.

Southend Council’s Food Safety team is reminding food businesses in the area that the changes in the rules, which went live in December, 2014, mean that all food businesses need to inform customers when any of the 14 specific allergenic ingredients are present in the food they make or serve.

A recent joint FSA and Allergy UK survey of consumers since the introduction of the new rules showed that only 16% reported no difference in the provisions of allergen information when eating out.

Through the survey, allergic consumers felt that businesses need to take time to understand the importance of why they make such requests and make necessary checks to ensure food is safe. They also wanted businesses to have more confidence when handling allergens in the kitchen and not take an overly cautious approach to refuse service to those with allergies.

Some felt that a handful of businesses in the UK did not know what allergies are or take them seriously.

Food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions and the numbers of people with this condition are growing.

The primary cause of food allergy deaths in the UK is due to allergic reactions caused when food is prepared and consumed outside of the home where allergenic ingredients have been used and not declared.

In total, around a third of those with a food allergy have suffered a reaction in the last year when eating out of the home. 25% took place in a restaurant or cafe, with 9% being a result of takeaway food.

With around two million allergic consumers in the UK, having the correct allergy information is good for business.

Easy-to-understand information is available on the FSA’s website: www.food.gov.uk/allergen-resources to help businesses with these rules.

If any business needs advice and guidance on the new rules, they can get in touch with the council’s food safety officer by calling 01702 215005 or visiting www.southend.gov.uk/foodsafety