Some allergies are more common than others. There are 14 main allergies that are required to be listed on the packaging and menus at restaurants, etc. This is because they commonly have strong and potentially life-threatening reactions. If you’re concerned about allergic reactions, allergy and intolerance testing can help you understand the potential risk and why. Are you curious if any of your allergies are on the 14 allergens list in the UK? If so, take a look below!
How many food allergies are there?
It’s easy to assume that if there are only 14 main allergens listed, only 14 allergens are dangerous. Unfortunately, this is not the case. These 14 listed allergens are simply ones that restaurants, manufacturers, etc., must list by law for safety. Many more allergens can be dangerous to your health but are not considered “popular” enough in UK society to be listed. This is why allergy and intolerance testing is so vital. The best way to protect yourself from an unwanted food allergy is to have personalised results to back it up. This can be done at any age, and you can do it multiple times to ensure things haven’t changed (more on that below).
What are the 14 main allergens in the UK?
It stands to reason that these 14 listed allergens are among the most common severe food allergies in the UK. They are also the most common 14 allergens to have strong reactions associated with them. Those 14 allergens are below:
- Wheat
- Sulphites
- Celery
- Crustaceans (lobster, prawns, etc.)
- Mulluscs
- Eggs
- Fish
- Milk
- Mustard
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Soya
- Lupins
If you’re puzzled about that last item on the list, it’s okay! Lupin is often characterised as an environmental allergy but can be in food sources, too! Lupin seeds can be used in many food items and tea varieties.
How are these allergens listed?
These 14 options must be declared obviously on packaging, menus, and so on. They are often bolded at the bottom or top of ingredient lists. They are often bolded on menus beside each dish it applies to. Many servers and baristas will also ask if there are any allergens in your party to keep everyone safe.
These allergens must also be listed if they are produced in a facility or kitchen that produces the allergen-containing food. For example, the food you are ordering or buying may not actively contain wheat. But other food that does contain wheat is also produced or prepared there.
Since these allergens so often can be severe enough to cause a reaction if there is even a small amount of cross-contamination, this declaration is listed to be cautious.
As you can see, the whole point of this 14 allergens list is to protect those with these food allergies. Some of these allergies are lifelong, whereas others can be short-lived. For example, egg and milk allergies are most common in children, and many young ones will outgrow them later. While this is not always the case, knowing that recovery is possible is reassuring!
What does it mean to have an allergy on this list?
If you’re feeling apprehensive about the sheer amount of major food allerens on this list, don’t be. If your allergen is on the list, you can always look for it. Of course, it only helps if you know what you are dealing with! Having allergy and intolerance testing is essential for you to know what you are reacting to since allergies can sometimes “hide” when it comes to determining what the actual cause is!
If you have the test results that tell your allergen’s cause, you’ll want to educate yourself on the different types of symptoms you could possibly have and how to spot them. This important to always keep your safety a priority.
You’ll also want to learn about hidden sources for your food allergen, including different names it can fall under. Even though you’ll see the warning about potential allergens in packaged foods, homebaked options won’t have that. You’ll want to get used to asking for a list of ingredients and knowing how to check it for potential allergens!
Major food allergens are complicated and can lead to some concerns when adjusting your diet, but there is no reason you can’t adjust to keeping yourself safe even if you live with one of these 14 main allergens in the UK. Knowledge will only help you, and this can be a great guide to helping you find your way toward a safe and healthy diet.