Food Standards Agency Demands Mandatory Allergy Information on Menus

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is calling for restaurants and coffee shops to make it mandatory to publish allergy information on their menus. This move comes after the family of a teenager who died from an anaphylactic shock due to an undiagnosed dairy allergy launched “Owen’s Law”.

Owen Carey, 18, suffered a severe allergic reaction after consuming chicken containing buttermilk, despite informing restaurant staff of his dairy allergy. His death highlights the importance of accurate allergy information in the food industry.

According to the FSA, food allergies, intolerances, or coeliac disease affect approximately two million people in the UK. To address this issue, the FSA has agreed that written allergy information should be compulsory on menus. The agency’s board members will also be writing to the government to push for this new regulation.

In addition to written information, the FSA is also emphasising the importance of staff-consumer conversations about food allergies. By making allergy information readily available and encouraging open dialogue between staff and customers, the FSA hopes to reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions and promote a safer food environment for all consumers.