The Problem- Allergens As A Food Safety Hazard Lynne Regent - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Problem- Allergens As A Food Safety Hazard

Lynne Regent Anaphylaxis Campaign CEO @LynneRegentAC

Who we are

Only UK wide charity solely focused

• n supporting people at risk of

severe allergic reactions

• Information
• Support
• Campaigning
• Fundraising

Contents of this presentation

• What is Anaphylaxis?
• Prevalence
• The impact of Anaphylaxis
• The regulatory and standard requirements for allergen control

What is Anaphylaxis?

An extreme and severe allergic reaction affecting the whole body Symptoms can include;

• Rashes
• Swelling of the mouth and throat
• Abdominal pain and vomiting
• A sudden feeling of weakness
• Collapse and unconsciousness

Prevalence: The Facts

• Food allergy affects 1-2% adults and 5-8% of

children

• Equates to about 2 million people in the UK
• Over 200,000 people have been prescribed

adrenaline auto injectors Allergies of all kinds are on the increase

• 1 in 50 children in the UK has a nut allergy
• Peanut allergy cases have tripled in the last

decade

• 33% increase in hospital admissions for allergic

reaction in the last 5 years

• It is a universal problem affecting all ages and

those who care for them

Fatalities in 2017

Unfortunately, around 20 people a year die from anaphylaxis

Female Age 19 Suspected allergen: multiple foods Nainika Tikoo Age 9 Suspected allergen: blackberries Georgina Hickman Age 24 Suspected allergen: peanut Paul Ryan Age 53 Suspected allergen: antibiotics - erythromycin Chloe Gilbert Age 15 Suspected allergen: milk Ishmaeel Ashraf Age 9 Suspected allergen: milk Megan Lee Age 15 Suspected allergen: nuts Owen Carey Age 18 Suspected allergen: nuts Karan Cheema Age 13 Suspected allergen: milk

The physical im impact of severe all llergy

The Emotional & Psychological impact

• Potential exposure occurs daily
• Constant vigilance required
• Time consuming & exhausting
• Can lead to ‘fear of food’
• Nutrition deprivation
• Impact enjoyment levels
• Fear of not knowing how to respond in the event of a serious reaction

The educational & developmental impact

School days lost;

• Medical appointments, reactions, associated conditions; eczema,

asthma Difficulties at school;

• School meals, vending machines, treats, cooking lessons, school trips;

could lead to exclusion from peers

The impact on employment

Both allergic individuals and carers may need;

• Time off work
• Part time work or roles that are less demanding
• In some cases employment ceased or not started

The social impact

Relationships;

• Informing partners, need for precautions - difficult for adolescents

Proximity to a hospital;

• Where you live, where you work, where you socialise

Travel

• Where you go on holiday, type of holiday, which airline

Bullying

• Exclusion, misunderstanding and judgement

The impact on carers and families

• Worrying for loved ones
• Anxiety about certain situations

 school, with friends, home alone, holidays

• Siblings may feel deprived of attention - can lead to resentment
• Strained relationships with relative and friends - asking them to make

adjustments to behaviour

The Law; eating out

EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation

• Provide information about 14 allergens

EC General Food Law Regulation

• Prohibits unsafe food being placed on the

market Food Safety Act 1990

• An offence to sell food which is not of the

nature or substance or quality demanded by the purchaser

The European Union Food Information for Consumers Regulation

Information about 14 allergens;

• as an ingredient
• used during preparation

Presentations of information;

• can be provided in writing
• or provided verbally

If information is not provided upfront

• clear signs must indicate how to obtain it

The Law; pre-packed food

EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation

• Declare the presence of 14 allergens when they

appear

• Must be highlighted in the ingredients list

In the absence of an ingredients list

• e.g. a bottle of wine, allergens to be indicated

by “contains” followed by the name of the allergen

Enforcement

• f

regulations; eating out

Local authority Environmental Health Officers and/or Trading Standards Officers are responsible for enforcement

• When a business fails to comply

I. Firstly offer help with a step by step approach II. If no improvement – issues an improvement notice

Mr Zaman - Indian Garden restaurant in North Yorkshire

• Mr Zaman changed order from almond powder to groundnut powder
• Failed to update his menus with correct information

January 2014 - peanut allergic Paul Wilson ordered a takeaway, requested and was confirmed to have a ‘peanut free meal’ Paul Wilson died from anaphylaxis

• The day after Mr Wilson's death, Mr Zaman rang his supplier and

asked to swap his remaining groundnut powder for almond

The Conviction

• Trial May 2016. Mr Zaman pleaded “not guilty” to the charge on

manslaughter

• 23 May - Mr Zaman found guilty of manslaughter and given a 6yr

prison sentence

• 12th October 2017 - The Court of Appeal dismissed Mr Zaman’s

appeal

• Lord Justice Hickinbottom, "In our view, his negligence in this case

was n just gross, his behaviour, driven by money, was appalling’’

Any Questions?