Food Allergy at work

Take Action to Prevent an Allergic Reaction

This year’s theme for National Food Safety is  “Take Action to Prevent an Allergic Reaction.”  The link to National Food Safety Education Month illustrates a step-by-step approach to training employees about the risks of food allergens in the food that is served to customers. 

The training makes five points: 
1) Know the most common food allergens;
2) Communicate with customers – suggest items that may not have allergens in them;
3) Avoid cross-contamination by washing hands often and sanitizing food preparation surfaces between uses;
4) What to do when an allergen is mistakenly given to a customer;
5) Recognizing the symptoms of a food allergy.

You may also contact the following organizations regarding food allergies:
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network:  www.foodallergy.org
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:  www.acaai.org/public