Sophia Cornelius, development dietitian at apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods Professional, looks at some key considerations for care homes when catering for residents living with a food hypersensitivity
Allergens are extremely prevalent in the UK, with 44 per cent of adults — and rising — living with one or more allergies.1
While there are many types of allergies, food allergies are one of the most widely recognised, with three-quarters of care homes reporting that one in four of their residents require allergen-free meals.2 For most, an allergic reaction will be mild or moderate, but if the reaction is severe — for example, if someone is anaphylactic — then it could be fatal.
It is essential that care homes have a robust allergy management policy in place to ensure the health and safety of both residents and staff. The food standards agency (FSA) states that a resident's dietary needs should be documented in their care plan and processes put in place to ensure their needs are communicated to those serving the food.3
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