Restaurant Staff Often Under-trained Regarding Food Allergies

Author: Wiley-Blackwell - Contact: wiley.com/en-us
Published: 2011/04/14 - Updated: 2022/04/21
Topic: Food Allergies - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main

Synopsis: Study reveals there is no association between a restaurant worker's knowledge of food allergy and their confidence in being able to provide safe meals for food allergic customers.

In one out of three kitchens, common food allergens (e.g., eggs, peanuts, wheat, milk, nuts, fish) were not separated from other foods.

Diners who are food allergic must remain vigilant and not assume restaurants are safe or that staff are knowledgeable about food allergy.

Introduction

A new study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy reveals that there is no association between a restaurant worker's knowledge of food allergy and his or her confidence in being able to provide a safe meal for a food allergic customer.

Main Item

Food allergies are common, affecting 2% of adults and as much as 8% of children in the UK alone. Allergic reactions can cause a wide variety of symptoms, the most serious being anaphylaxis, which can cause death.

Led by Professor Helen Smith of Brighton & Sussex Medical School, UK, researchers telephoned 90 table-service restaurants in Brighton to assess staff knowledge of food allergy and determine how comfortable they felt providing meals to food allergic customers.

Responses demonstrate apparent gaps in restaurant staff's knowledge of food allergy.

In one out of three kitchens, common food allergens (e.g. eggs, peanuts, wheat, milk, nuts, fish) were not separated from other foods.

One in five staff members thought that an allergic customer consuming a small amount of allergen would be safe, as would removing the allergen from a finished meal (e.g. picking the nuts off a pre-prepared desert would render it safe for a nut-allergic customer to eat).

Only one third of respondents had received any sort of food allergy training, but nonetheless 80% reported confidence in providing a safe meal for their food-allergic customers.

"Diners who are food allergic must remain vigilant and not assume restaurants are safe or that all staff are knowledgeable about food allergy," Smith notes. "Our survey supports the need for more rigorous and accessible training if food-allergic customers are to avoid being put at risk by dining out."

Explore Similar Topics

- Study finds a drug that binds to allergy-causing antibodies can protect children from dangerous reactions to accidentally eating allergy-triggering foods.

- New peanut allergy guidelines are an addendum to the 2010 Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States.

Citing Information and Page References

Disabled World (DW) is a comprehensive online resource providing information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Wiley-Blackwell. (2011, April 14 - Last revised: 2022, April 21). Restaurant Staff Often Under-trained Regarding Food Allergies. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 7, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/intolerance-allergies/restaurants.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/intolerance-allergies/restaurants.php">Restaurant Staff Often Under-trained Regarding Food Allergies</a>: Study reveals there is no association between a restaurant worker's knowledge of food allergy and their confidence in being able to provide safe meals for food allergic customers.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.