Managing Food Allergens in the Kitchen

When you prepare food for someone with a food allergy, you should keep the following in mind:

1️⃣ Ask your guest (or their parents/caregivers if you are cooking for a child) what they can and cannot eat.

2️⃣ Before you start preparing food, clean all work surfaces and equipment thoroughly using hot, soapy water to remove traces of anything you might have cooked before.

3️⃣ Keep allergens separate from other foods and follow advice for avoiding cross-contact in the kitchen.

4️⃣ Double check ingredients listed on pre-packed foods, e.g., sauces for allergens.

5️⃣ Keep a note of the ingredients used in your dish so you can answer any questions your guests may have about the food.

Even a tiny trace of a food allergen can be enough to cause an allergic reaction. That is why it is important that they are managed carefully in the kitchen.

Source: foodstandards.gov.scot/consumers/food-safety/food-allergies/cooking-for-people-with-allergies