National Allergy Strategy launches free online training for food service

In response to engagement with key stakeholders in the food service industry, a free online training course has been launched by the National Allergy Strategy, a partnership between Australia’s peak allergy bodies, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA).

The All about Allergens training course available via a National Allergy Strategy website – www.foodallergytraining.org.au – provides access to training that is fast, easy and free. The comprehensive program details need to know information relevant to those in the food service industry and is presented using videos and interactive activities.

The All about Allergens course includes information about responding to customers that disclose a food allergy, managing orders for those with food allergy, minimising the risk of cross-contamination, and it also highlights examples of good and not so good service for customers with food allergy. The course also educates users on the symptoms of a food allergic reaction, and explains what to do if a customer experiences an allergic reaction including anaphylaxis (the most severe form of allergic reaction).

A community education website (a quick go to hub for top line information on management) has also been developed for people with food allergy and their carers – www.foodallergyeducation.org.au