Food Allergens: Helping You Help Restaurants (50m Lecture)

image: thornburgpediatrics.com

From 2000 to 2010 the CDC estimates the number of children with food allergies in the US increased by 50%. Approximately 15 million people in the US have food allergies and the food industry is potentially leaving hundreds of millions of dollars on the table by not catering to them. And most are uncertain where to look for help when it comes to accommodating individuals with food allergies, sometimes relying on their local health department for answers.
Regulations about food allergies are relatively sporadic with only two states (Massachusetts and Rhode Island) currently mandating allergen awareness training. Massachusetts was the first to develop mandatory allergen awareness training, which resulted in overwhelming positive feedback from the allergic community. Rhode Island have recently followed suit with other jurisdictions considering similar regulations. Lessons learned from those early adoptions can dramatically help any future states that are considering allergen awareness regulations, ultimately maximizing the affect for the industry and the food allergic community.
This presentation is meant to help health inspectors understand the depth and breadth of food allergies in the United States and the impact they are having on the foodservice industry, what to consider if moving towards allergen awareness training and finally provide them with resources to increase their own knowledge as well as where to refer any questions about food allergies should it be beyond their own knowledge and understanding.