People with allergies are being reminded to take care when eating or drinking out.
The North East regional food safety group is issuing the reminder following routine sampling found some items bought in local businesses had been contaminated with known allergens during preparation.
Environmental health and trading standards officers from the 12 local authorities in the North East collected nearly 200 food and drink samples from local restaurants, cafes, hotels and takeaways which were tested for traces of 14 different registered allergens including, milk, peanuts and cereals containing gluten. The sampling provided a snapshot of how businesses are managing allergens, indicating areas where improvements are still to be made. These include the production of hot drinks using dairy free milk alternatives, where cross contamination can occur from the utensils used to steam milk products, and in some peanut free meals.
By law, food business operators are required to handle and manage food allergens effectively and to ensure that staff receive appropriate training. However, sometimes things go wrong which can leave people with allergies at risk.
Consumers with allergies are reminded to always inform staff of their allergy and to request that freshly cleaned utensils are used in the preparation of their order to help minimise risks. People who have experienced an allergic reaction after being exposed to known allergens in food or drinks bought or consumed from North East Businesses, are encouraged to report it to North East Allergic Reaction, an online platform hosted by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council which supports local environmental health teams to investigate concerns and act where necessary.
Report your concerns here if you think you've had an adverse reaction to food.
General concerns about the management of allergens in businesses can be reported directly to the relevant local authority.
Brian Whelan, chair of the North East regional food safety group, said:
"Environmental health and trading standards staff from across the region work closely with businesses, including takeaways, to make sure consumers remain safe.
"This includes signposting businesses to a range of educational videos, resources and free training. The vast majority of businesses take the management of allergens seriously and implement measures to keep their customers safe, including letting them know when cross-contamination in food preparation cannot be avoided. However, sometimes things go wrong and it's important to let us know when they do. Even a microscopic trace of an allergen can have serious consequences and in some cases can be deadly. Reporting incidents enables us to take appropriate action to support businesses and keep people safe."