Food Allergic Brits Are More Confident about Eating Out
People with food allergies and intolerances are more confident about eating out since allergen information rules were introduced in 2014, according to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).
A new study presents strong evidence that the legislation has had a positive impact and that good allergen information is good for business.
Over 2 million people in the UK have a food allergy and an estimated 600,000 have celiac disease. In December 2014, the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation (EUFIC) changed the way food businesses had to provide allergen information to consumers.
To understand the effect of this change, the FSA commissioned detailed research that was carried out by the University of Bath, who polled a representative sample of British people with food allergies and intolerances.
The research found that, post legislation:
• 70% of food allergic and intolerant consumers feel more confident in asking staff for allergen information
• 56% of food allergic and intolerant consumers value staff more as a source of information
• 44% of food allergic and intolerant consumers are more ‘adventurous’ about eating out
• 67% feel allergen information on food business websites is dependable
• 63% say talking to the chef about their allergen needs can be relied on
• 35% report an improvement in allergen information in the menu.
Food allergic and intolerant customers also said that improved confidence in allergen information led them to eating out more frequently and that they were more likely to return to and recommend venues with staff that were helpful and attentive about their allergen needs.
Heather Hancock, Chairman of the FSA, said: “Everyone should be able to trust their food. When people live with a food allergy or intolerance that can make them ill or be life threatening, that trust becomes critical. This new research shows that many food businesses have a good understanding of the allergen information rules, with the result that consumers trust them and feel confident that they’ll be safe when eating out.”