Eimear O’Rourke – Allergy Act

Guest Blog
January 24, 2024
Amy

In my life, I’ve had 6 near-death experiences. The shocking truth is that each near-death experience was down to simple human error and could have totally been avoided. You see, I, like millions of other people, have a nut allergy. Ingesting even a tiny trace of peanuts can trigger anaphylactic shock, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. I’m Eimear, founder of Allergy Act, an organization with a mission to help improve the quality of life of those with allergies by providing Allergy Information, Support, and Training for Individuals and Families. But there’s only so much we can do. The food and hospitality industry has a significant impact on the lives of those with allergies.

The Impact of Food Industry on Allergy Lives

Eating out with a food allergy is a real challenge for both customers and the food business. There’s no easy way for people to know if food businesses can accommodate our dietary needs, leading to 60% of customers with allergies visiting the exact same restaurants that they know can accommodate them or avoid dining out completely.

Feasting Fearlessly

Some places truly understand and make sure everyone, even those with allergies, can enjoy their meals. These places become well-known among allergy communities and their network. When someone in the group has a dietary requirement, everyone in the group goes to a place that caters to allergies. This means the person with a dietary requirement becomes the decision-maker for choosing where the group eats, directing more business to these allergy-friendly spots. Therefore, what smart businesses do, is cater to and serve this target market. They understand that by building trust and offering a safe dining experience for those with dietary requirements, other customer groups will naturally follow.

These businesses that the Allergy Community and I return to:

Greet guests by asking about dietary needs on arrival.
Have clear and up-to-date information about the ingredients of each menu option
Offer customizable menu choices
Have staff updated and trained on allergens

These actions create a safe, inclusive space and build customer loyalty in the allergy community.

Dining Dilemmas

However, there are times when allergens aren’t catered for or managed well. Imagine being turned away from businesses because they don’t want to serve you. People with allergies are instructed by doctors to seek specific information about the ingredients in their food. It is very unhelpful when staff dismiss the essential questions we need to ask, rushing us to order, making us feel like a hassle and inconvenience. In instances where questions about ingredients are overlooked due to time constraints and a rush to place an order, the repercussions can be significant. Only after that first bite might we realize that the dish was prepared using utensils or equipment that had allergens, cooked in soya or peanut oil, or includes allergens in dressings and sauces. But, by then, it could be too late.

The Solution – Communication is Key ????

The most efficient and impactful thing a food business can do to improve their allergy game is to have a conversation with the customer. If you understand what food-conscious consumers look for, you can have your answers ready.

Having accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the ingredients used in the dishes you are serving available to the customer is crucial.

There are other simple things your business can do, such as greeting customers by asking about dietary requirements on arrival and educating all staff on allergy awareness in the kitchen, covering the entire process from food preparation and cooking to serving.

If you’re reading this, your already on the right track!

Embracing food allergy awareness with expert guidance by Caroline and Sally at Food Allergy Aware is an investment that fosters inclusivity, customer loyalty, and puts your food business in the lead in a growing market. Being allergy-friendly isn’t just good for customers; it’s good for business.