Webinar: Travelling overseas with food allergy – panel discussion

In this panel discussion, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia’s trained allergy educators Wendy Freeman and Sally Voukelatos discuss ‘Travelling overseas with Food Allergy’.  

This recording includes: 

• a short presentation sharing useful resources and tips to help people with food allergies reduce the risk of an allergic reaction when travelling overseas 
• answers to general questions about how to improve safety when travelling overseas with a food allergy 

Webinar Details 

Recorded: Tuesday 19^th and Wednesday 20^th November 2024 

Note: This recording includes the recorded questions and answers from both Tuesday 19^th and Wednesday 20^th November panel discussion sessions.  

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Questions

1. Do airlines carry adrenaline devices? Are the staff trained in anaphylaxis management? (Watch at 23:52)  
2. Is it more risky to sit at the back of the plane closer to the kitchen? Can the odour when the food is being reheated cause an allergic reaction? (Watch at 26:47) 
3. How do you contact airlines about food allergies? (Watch at 30:00) 
4. If you know that you have ingested the allergen, should you administer your EpiPen or adrenaline injector immediately or stick to the action plan as usual? (Watch at 33:04) 
5. Are there any airports in transit that don’t allow adrenaline devices? (Watch at 35:33) 
6. If you are travelling to the snow, what should you store adrenaline devices in?  (Watch at 37:25)
7. Anything we should consider when not staying close to a hospital? (Watch at 39:20) 
8. What are the ingredients lists like in other countries around the world? (Watch a 41:29) 
9. If a reaction occurs overseas, do we follow the steps of the ASCIA Action Plan? (Watch at 43:23) 
10. Can children, for example aged 8 and 14 with food allergy and risk of anaphylaxis travel unaccompanied without adult supervision? If so, any recommendations on how to keep them safe? (Watch at 45:02)
11. My son is travelling overseas for a school trip to Germany and Italy. Is there any documentation I need to provide to the school for this food allergy? (Watch at 46:27) 
12. What are your recommendations for individuals with severe food allergy to a common food of that country? So, for example, peanuts allergy travelling to Thailand or dairy allergy travelling to Italy? (Watch at 49:44) 
13. Always ask the pharmacist to label the adrenaline device as well as the box. (Watch at 51:10) 
14. Travelling in Southeast Asia, for example Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Bali and Japan with sesame and peanut allergy. Is this possible? (Watch at 51:50) 
15. Are tree nut allergies such as to walnut, cashew and hazelnut seen as high risk in Southeast Asia? (Watch at 55:39) 
16. Has anyone had any experience with travelling overseas on long student exchanges e.g. 12 months, with multiple food allergies such as to Japan? (Watch at 57:22) 
17. Do some countries require a script or is a doctor’s letter from Australia is enough to purchase an adrenaline device over the counter if I have used my device and need another few spares in countries like Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia? (Watch at 1:01:08) 
18. How can you use the translated chef card and any advice on other strategies if you have an uncommon allergy such as kiwi fruit? (Watch at 1:03:23) 
19. Can we use expired adrenaline devices? (Watch at 1:04:46) 
20. I understand that EpiPens are unavailable in lower socioeconomic countries, but would you consider their hospitals safely able to manage an anaphylactic episode? (Watch at 1:06:02) 
21. Can we keep giving adrenaline if the person still is showing signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis even after giving the second dose? How much is too much adrenaline? (Watch at 1:07:53) 
22. Is it recommended to give your child with multiple allergies a dose of antihistamine before boarding the plane? (Watch at 1:08:28) 
23. If you eat out at a restaurant overseas, have told the staff about your allergy and provided them with a chef card, but have an allergic reaction, is this reportable? Should I see my allergist when I return from the trip?  
    • To report an allergic reaction in a different country you would have to contact the patient organisation in that country (if there is one) and ask if they can assist you with reporting or provide information to help you to report. A&AA is not able to report food related incidents that occur outside of Australia.  However, we recommend contacting us on your return. Our allergy educators may be able to provide some support and management advice.  
    • Yes, if you have had an allergic reaction (mild/moderate or severe (anaphylaxis)) overseas you should make an appointment to see your allergist when you arrive back in Australia so that you can discuss what happened and review your management strategies. Additionally, if you used your adrenaline device, you would need a prescription from your allergist (or GP) to get a replacement device. Your ASCIA Action Plan may also need to be updated.   
24. My son has an egg allergy and needs to get vaccinated for yellow fever. Is this safe and any recommendations on what to do?  
    • ASCIA has some information on vaccinations for egg-allergic individuals – ASCIA Guidelines: Vaccination of the egg-allergic individual – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). 
    • The ASCIA guidelines state that yellow fever vaccinations can contain egg protein and therefore it is best to speak to your child’s allergy specialist for an assessment before travelling. 
25. What advice do you have about what food can be taken onto a flight and into a country if your baby has a food allergy, and do you need documentation to provide to customs for this? Is it best to take food in the carryon luggage or pack it in the checked in luggage? 
    • It is important to check customs information for the country you are travelling to and individual airline policies to find what type of food you can bring on board/into the country and any restrictions on quantities. Most international flights have a restriction on liquids (over 100ml);  however this normally does not apply to food and milk for children under 2 years old. You may be able to bring an additional bag (separate from your carryon) for your baby’s food, milk and bottles. Remember to pack food for the flight to the destination, for arrival and the flight back to Australia.  
    • Depending on how long you will be on holiday, you will probably need to pack some of the food to be consumed at the destination in your checked baggage. If you have multiple checked bags, you may choose to spread your food between the bags, in case one of the checked bags goes missing. 
    • It’s important to have the baby’s ASCIA Action Plan and ASCIA Travel Plan up to date and signed by the treating doctor or nurse practitioner. You can also consider getting a letter from your baby’s allergist explaining why you may need to bring medications (including adrenaline devices) and food for your baby.