NSW: Allergy awareness restaurant program could go state wide

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2007
NSW: Allergy awareness restaurant program could go state wide

SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - Allergy Aware logos could begin popping up on NSW restaurant and
cafe windows next year if a new state government education program proves successful.

The NSW government together with the NSW Food Authority and two local councils today
launched a training program for restaurant workers so they can better serve the state's
160,000 allergy sufferers.

The program includes a half-day workshop for food businesses, educating them about
the safe handling, preparing and labelling of food for customers with allergies - some
of which can prove fatal.

More than 30 businesses in Sydney's Canada Bay Council area and in Orange in the state's
central west are taking part in the pilot.

Once completed, each will be able to display the Allergy Aware logo.

The president of allergy awareness charity Anaphylaxis Australia, Maria Said, said
the training and certification program would help sufferers avoid risks associated with
eating out.

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is often life threatening.

"Currently it's a problem because you walk into a restaurant and disclose the fact
that you have an allergy and people think `Oh well, peanuts. I don't have peanuts here',"

she said.

"But there are so many foods that nuts are already in. We're not just talking about
a chef shelling peanuts and putting them in food, we're talking about all other ingredients
and what they contain.

"We'd like to see food services take people with food allergies seriously (and) know
what to do when someone says `I'm allergic to milk', to know what sort of processes they
have to put in their kitchens to not contaminate that food with milk."

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said the program would be a win-win for
both allergy sufferers and restaurants.

Because most fatal food allergy reactions occurred outside the home, such a program
could save lives, he said.

"Over 160,000 people in NSW alone suffer food allergies and their ability to dine out
is severely restricted because of uncertainty about the foods they are served," NSW Primary
Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said.

"The program is a win-win for the food service industry and patrons because it gives
restaurants the opportunity to better meet customers' needs and create an environment
that is safer for those with allergies."

If successful, the program would be rolled out across the state next year and would
be managed at a local government level, he said.

AAP ab/hn/jh/bwl

KEYWORD: ALLERGY LEAD

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