Global Survey – Consumer perspective of allergen thresholds

Anaphylaxis Ireland is a member of the Patients Organisations Committee of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). EAACI is an association of clinicians, researchers and allied health professionals, dedicated to improving the health of people affected by allergic diseases.

We are seeking comments from the public on the emerging topic of food allergen threshold levels (i.e. the lowest amount of an allergen that causes an allergic reaction). We would also like to know more about your knowledge and opinion on this topic and appreciate your taking the time to tell us a bit more about your current approach to managing food allergies when it comes to selecting foods, your knowledge of thresholds, and related matters.

The survey should take about 7 to 10 minutes to complete and there will be an opportunity to offer comments at the end.

The survey is available at the link below

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/gs_ireland_consumerperspective

This survey is designed for people with food allergies, the family members with whom they reside, and caregivers who purchase food for people with food allergies (such as babysitters and extended family members). This survey is not designed for institutional caregivers, such as day care operators or school personnel.

While the information that you provide will remain anonymous, we may include aggregate data and quotes in presentations, reports, and other publications. Information from this survey will be useful when we discuss food labeling and allergen threshold levels with others such as the food industry, food scientists, clinicians and researchers, government regulators, and patient groups.

This survey was launched on Monday, May 6^th and will close on Monday May 20^th.  Please take the time to complete the survey during this fortnight

Food Allergy Study – Help us develop an online App!

We are  working on the development of an online app, AlleRiC – Allergic Reactions in the Community, as part of the world’s biggest ever food allergy study.   The study will involve experts in food allergy from around the world and Anaphylaxis Ireland is participating in the project with a leading food allergy research team from University College Cork.

We are currently recruiting food allergic individuals and parents, who would be interested in participating in the project.

Participants are being asked to attend focus groups which will look at their experience of food allergy. Why not get involved and make a difference, we need your input!

Full details are available here

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Allergen Alert Blue Dragon Wasabi Plum Shot (140g)

Blue Dragon Wasabi Plum Shot (140g)      All batch and date codes

We have been notified by AB World Foods that as a result of regular technical checks, the Blue Dragon oriental food brand has recently discovered that their Blue Dragon Wasabi Plum Shot 140g, contains a small quantity of skimmed milk powder that is not declared on the pack label, making the product unsuitable for anyone with milk allergy.

 If you have bought this product and suffer from a Milk allergy then please do not eat it.  Please contact the Blue Dragon Careline on Freephone 0800 0195 617 for further information and a full refund.

The product is being withdrawn from sale.

AB World Foods has confirmed that no other Blue Dragon products are affected and say they apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Anaphylaxis Ireland would like to thank AB World Foods for their co-operation with this alert and for covering the cost of alerting our members.

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Food Allergen Alert 22nd April

Undeclared Mustard in Marks & Spencer Roasted Garlic Mayo

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued a new allergen alert on April 22nd, in relation to undeclared mustard.

To read the full details of this alert please use the link below:

http://www.fsai.ie/news_centre/allergen_alerts/M_S_mayo.html

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Public Information Evening, May 9th

Anaphylaxis Ireland will hold an information evening on Thursday, May 9^th

Dr. John Fitzsimons, Consultant Paediatrician at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda will give a talk on food allergy. The talk will be followed by a discussion and Q & A session.

Dr. Fitzsimons has a special interest in food allergy and runs a children’s allergy clinic at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

The event will take place at the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, co. Meath ( located just off the M3) and starts at 7.30pm.

Admission is free and all are welcome, but places should be reserved.

To reserve a place or for further information, call 0818 300 238 or email info@anaphylaxisireland.ie

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Food Safety Authority Consultation

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has launched a consultation in relation to a new EU labelling regulation which will come into force in 2014. The new Food Information for Consumers Regulation will introduce some important changes in relation to allergen information and labelling.

From December 2014 allergen information will have to be provided for foods sold loose (non-prepacked foods). This regulation will apply to meals provided in restaurants, canteens, takeaways etc. It will also apply to food sold without packaging in retail outlets, deli counters, supermarkets, butchers or food stalls.

This new labelling requirement will have direct benefits for consumers with a food allergy or intolerance and the FSAI consultation is designed to get the views of consumers and the food industry on how the required allergen information should be provided to consumers.

Anaphylaxis Ireland is encouraging you to take 5 minutes to have your say on how this regulation should be implemented by completing this short FSAI consumer questionnaire. The consumer questionnaire is available on the FSAI website at the link below

http://www.fsai.ie/legislation/consultations/consultations_2013.html

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World Allergy Week 8th to 14th of April

World Allergy Week will take place from 8 to 14 April 2013 and aims to increase awareness of Food Allergy. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) launched it’s Stop Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Campaign in June 2012 and the campaign will continue until June 2013.  The goal of the campaign is to enhance knowledge of food allergy in the European community and increase awareness among policy makers of the sharp increase of food allergy, particularly in children . The campaign also aims to educate the public to recognise the symptoms of anaphylaxis and teach the public how to react in case of emergency e.g. by using an adrenaline pen.

As part of this campaign EAACI recently published it’s

EUROPEAN FOOD ALLERGY & ANAPHYLAXIS PUBLIC DECLARATION

We encourage you to read the declaration and ask you to help raise awareness of food allergy during World Allergy Week.

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Funday for 6 yr olds & under.

Anaphylaxis Ireland is holding a Fun day event for children up to 6 years of age, from 11am to 1pm on Sunday 14th April 2013, in a Cork indoor playground. This will be an informal event where parents get a chance to chat together, whilst the children get a chance to play. The cost is €6.50 for 5 and 6 year olds, and €5.00 for 4 year olds and under. All welcome, If you are interested in attending, please contact our helpline on 0818 300 238 or email info@anaphylaxisireland.ie

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