If things go wrong
What should I do if things go wrong when I attempt to eat out with food allergies?
- If a restaurant cannot provide allergen information, carefully assess the risk of eating there.
- It is a legal requirement for allergen information to be available. Report to Trading Standards if the information cannot be provided.
- If the staff display any signs of impatience, sigh, tut, roll their eyes, or say ‘I don’t know’ when asked about allergens, think very carefully about eating there. It is better to leave than risk your health and life.
- If you have an adverse reaction and you suspect you were served your trigger food, GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.
- DO NOT play it down. Your life, and that of others, is at risk.
- Gather your evidence, or get a companion to gather it. You will need support
- Take a spoonful of the food away with you (carry a food bag, or small container), so that it can be tested for the offending ingredient.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Be polite, and avoid being confrontational.
- Make a detailed report of what happened.
- Follow up with a letter to the management or head office, whichever is relevant to that business.
- Make sure that you have followed the route of contacting the business manager or owner before doing anything else.
- Avoid the temptation to vent on social media, as this may jeopardise any form of official or legal action.
- Contact the Environmental Health Officer for the area, and Trading Standards.
- Remember, your custom is important to them. Word of mouth is the most efficient advertisement, good or bad. If they have a problem serving you, that is not your fault.
Food Allergy Friends is an approved Highfield training centre. Please see our training and services for catering establishments and individuals.