Eateries should be forced to specify allergy details on menus, the body liable for food safety has said.
Tragic Case Sparks Advocacy
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has thrown its weight behind ‘Owen’s Law,’ championed by the family of Owen Carey, a teenager who tragically lost his life due to an allergic reaction.
Owen suffered a fatal anaphylactic shock after consuming chicken containing buttermilk, despite informing restaurant staff about his dairy allergy.
Scope of Allergies in the UK
Allergies, intolerances, or coeliac disease affect a significant two million individuals in the UK, highlighting the urgency of appropriate precautions and information dissemination in food establishments.
FSA’s Call for Change
During a recent meeting, the FSA endorsed the need for mandatory written allergy information in restaurants and coffee shops.
The agency expressed intent to convey this stance to the government via correspondence from its board members. Additionally, the FSA emphasized the importance of expected conversations between staff and customers regarding allergens.
Campaign for Legislative Change
Mr. Carey’s unfortunate demise in April 2017 prompted his family to fervently campaign for legal reforms in the wake of food allergies. Their advocacy, under the banner of ‘Owen’s Law,’ seeks to enforce essential changes in legislation to prevent similar tragic incidents in the future.
