Food businesses are being reminded of the importance of providing clear allergen and ingredient information over the Christmas and New Year period.

With takeaways expected to be busier than usual because of Coronavirus restrictions, Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards service is reminding them about their responsibilities.

People are reminded that prepacked foods will have an ingredients list which will highlight the main allergens, but, in a takeaway or restaurant the information must be provided in the form of a list or verbally if asked by a customer.

Those with food allergies or intolerances are also being reminded to check that food ordered does not contain an ingredient which would harm them.

The service continues to support the national 'Easy to Ask' campaign by the Food Standards Agency, Allergy UK and the Anaphylaxis Campaign to speak about allergies.

Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities at Staffordshire County Council said: "With food outlets having to adapt to the changing rules around Coronavirus and takeaways busier than usual, we're reminding people to be aware of the risks of food allergies.

"This has become a growing concern for our service over recent years and for some people, it can be very serious or even life threatening.

"Unfortunately, we've had a number of incidents in Staffordshire where people have ended up in hospital as a result of being served food that has given them a severe allergic reaction.

"It's important that food outlets are aware of their responsibility to provide customers with clear information regarding their food products which is why we are working with them."

According to charity Allergy UK, over the last decade cases of food allergies have doubled and the number of hospitalisations caused by severe allergic reactions has increased seven-fold (EAACI, 2015).

The organisation says that six to eight per cent of children have a proven food allergy (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2011).

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