LESSON 9: FOOD ALLERGENS

With the number of people with food allergies steadily increasing, it is absolutely critical for this to be a focus for you. Remember, allergies to food can have fatal results. The most common food allergens fall into eight groups. This is not a complete list, but it does include the most common.

Peanuts

• The most common nut allergy
  
  

Tree Nuts

• Almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Pecans
• Pistachios
• Walnuts
• Pine nuts and other tree nuts
  
  

Fish

• Fish
• Fish oil or fish sauce
• Anchovies (Sometimes used in salad dressings)
• Crab and other fish
  
  

Shellfish - all crustaceans

• Lobster, crab, oysters and shrimp
  
  

Eggs

• Eggs or foods containing eggs such as  mayonnaise
  
  

Milk

• Items that contain milk, cheese and whey, butter, cream, yogurt
  
  

Wheat

• Contained in flour, pasta, or breads
  
  

Soy

• Items that contain soy, lecithin, guar gum, soy flour and soy milk
  
  

Know where your allergen information is located! Customers may ask if your products contain ingredients to which they are allergic or intolerant. Some customers will ask you for ingredient lists or product labels. Know where to find this information. It is the customer’s responsibility to look at ingredient lists and decide if products may be safely consumed. Do NOT make a health recommendation, the customer’s life could be at risk.