Speak Up For Allergies: Six tips to stay takeaway safe

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Northern Ireland has opened a new campaign, Speak Up For Allergies. The campaign aims to encourage local students to always speak to a restaurant or takeaway directly about their food allergies when ordering takeaway – even if it’s a meal they’ve had before.

Insight from the FSA shows that young people are at a higher risk of experiencing food allergic reactions and are less likely to tell a restaurant about their allergy, particularly if it is a meal they have had from the same place before.

Takeaways continue to be the new eating out. But, if you, or the people you live with have food allergies, never assume that your order will be safe. Ingredients, recipes and staff can change, so your usual order may not be as safe as it was last time – so never assume it will be.

Make sure you #SpeakUpForAllergies and follow these tips to stay takeaway safe for you and those around you: 

1. Be allergy aware - Find out if anyone in the group you’re ordering for has a food allergy.

2. Speak to the restaurant every time - If ordering by app, don’t rely on the in-app messaging service. Call the restaurant directly and make sure they understand the allergy. Remember to ask, even when ordering the usual, because the recipe, ingredients, chef or kitchen staff may have changed.   

3. Be clear - Give examples of food that could cause a reaction and be clear about the allergy.  

4. Ask the restaurant to label the allergy-safe meal - Make sure the container will be labelled so that it’s clear when the meal arrives and there’s no risk of cross-contamination. 

5. Follow your instincts - If the person you’re ordering from doesn’t understand the allergy or intolerance, ask to speak to the manager. If you still don’t feel confident, consider ordering elsewhere.

6. Don’t feel embarrassed - There is no need to feel awkward asking about allergy. Food business are legally required to provide allergen information when you order and when the food is delivered. 

Remember - there are no cures for food allergies. People manage their condition by avoiding the food that makes them ill. Looking out for each other and always contacting the restaurant when ordering is the best way to avoid allergies ruining your night in.

For more information about the Speak Up For Allergies campaign or advice for young people on managing a food allergy visit  www.food.gov.uk/SpeakUpForAllergies.