ALL Staff Training on EU regulations Inc ward nursing staff involved in food

service

THINK - ALLERGENS

THINK - ALLERGENS

There are MAJOR changes to the information that people preparing or serving food must give to their CUSTOMERS & PATIENTS

From 13th December 2014 new EU laws come into LEGAL force about allergens within foods

14 Allergens that MUST be communicated to ALL

THINK - ALLERGENS

If you work with food you will have a legal responsibility to provide the correct allergens information about the ingredients that is in the food you make or serve

THINK - ALLERGENS

Allergic reactions can make people very ill and can sometimes lead to death. There is no cure for food allergy The only treatment is to avoid the foods they are allergic to

The Impact of Food Allergy

The symptoms can include: • rashes (usually very itchy)• tingling sensation in the mouth

• swelling of the lips, tongue, face and throat

• difficulty breathing• diarrhoea• vomiting• abdominal cramps • and on rare occasions anaphylaxis

THINK - ALLERGENS

The importance of getting it right

THINK - ALLERGENS

The EU law has listed 14 allergens that need to be identified if they are used as ingredients in a dish

THINK - ALLERGENS

IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE

The change in law means that you will no longer be able to say that you don’t know what allergens are in the food you serve

IF IN DOUBT ASK or DO NOT SERVE

THINK - ALLERGENS

How can/should the information will be provided

Upon Admission Sign posting – statements on menus advising patients/customers to request information

Ward folders – grids of menu items and any allergens they contain

Trust Intranet

THINK - ALLERGENS

What do you also need to know

Updates – ensure you know how the information is updated

Importance of patients not sharing their food with other patients ie Birthday Cakes

Adhere to Trusts policies

THINK - ALLERGENS

Summary

The information MUST be provided if the patient/customer requests

Always check the list NEVER guess It is down to ALL to ensure that the patient/relatives -know to ask

Know where the information can be found for your ward area

IF IN DOUBT ASK or DO NOT SERVE

THINK - ALLERGENS

USEFUL RESOURSES

THINK - ALLERGENS

HCA/BDA Toolkit

http://www.hospitalcaterers.org/publications/downloads/allergen-toolkit.pdf

THINK - ALLERGENS

Food allergy on-line training

http://allergytraining.food.gov.uk/english

EU list of allergens

Peanuts Nuts Milk Soya

Mustard Lupin Eggs Fish

Shellfish MolluscsCereals

containing gluten

Sesame

Celery Sulphur dioxide

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/publication/loosefoodsleaflet.pdf

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/publication/thinkallergy.pdf