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Study Reveals Restaurant Staff Lack Adequate Understanding of Food Allergies
Posted by admin on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 in Food Allergies
For many of us, the idea of eating at a restaurant with friends or family sounds enjoyable. Unfortunately, a new British survey shows that, for people who suffer from food allergies, restaurant dining may be more dangerous than pleasurable.
The study, published by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, revealed that a great deal of restaurant workers don’t understand how to safely handle food allergies. Of the restaurants studied, about one-third kept common allergens—that is, eggs, dairy, wheat, peanuts and other nuts, and fish—with the rest of the ingredients. About 20% believed that it was safe for customers to only ingest small amounts of the allergen; 20% also believed that the allergen could be included in the recipe and then removed from the plate before delivering the dish to the customer. The study hints that the lack of allergy-specific food safety courses required is a main cause of this problem.
If you think you have a food allergy, Active Life Wellness and Healthcare can help you identify which specific foods to avoid. If you plan on eating in a restaurant, be sure to follow these tips:
- Double-check with your server to make sure dishes don’t contain food allergens.
- Be specific about your health needs, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Look up the restaurant’s menu online or call ahead before you go to make sure the restaurant can cater to your needs.
- Find restaurants that accommodate to you, such as a gluten-free bakery or café.
- If you have a gluten intolerance, use the Gluten Free Registry to find a restaurant that has wheat-free options.
Source: pizzodisevo