Safe Plates for Home Food Handlers Module 6: Food Allergens

Case Study http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/chocolate-puddle-cookies-recipe.html

What Happened 17-year-old Joe has several severe food allergies A few bites into the sandwich he realizes that something isn’t right His throat and lips start to itch and swell, making it hard to breathe Allergic reaction had to be treated with Epinephrine and required a trip to the emergency room

What They Found The homemade sandwiches hadn’t been labeled Joe accidentally grabbed his sister’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of his sandwich made with sunflower seed butter Joe’s reaction was serious after a couple bites

Discussion What would you do to prevent something like this from happening in class or at home? Allergens were not properly labeled, employee didn’t know ingredients, or possibly, someone added walnut to a recipe that wasn’t supposed to have it

Learning Objectives Identify the eight major food allergens in the United States Know that food allergens can impact job duties including preparing food, handling customer information needs and responding to suspected allergic reactions

Key Terms Cross-contact – when an allergen is unintentionally transferred from a food containing an allergen to a food that does not contain the allergen Food allergy – an abnormal immune response to proteins in food Food intolerance – inability to digest chemicals in food that leads to uncomfortable symptoms

Food Allergens

Can you name any common food allergens? Over 12 million Americans suffer from one or more food allergies. Between 5 and 8% of children and 1 to 2% of adults have some type of allergic reaction to foods. Allergies can come on anytime during someone’s life The Food and Drug Administration requires that foods be labeled conspicuously if they contain allergens listed in this slide. The only way we can avoid illness or a reaction from consumption of allergens is through labeling and ensuring that the person allergic to the food does not consume the food product. http://busybeekate.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/top8.jpg

Reactions to Food Food allergy – the body's immune system has an abnormal reaction to proteins in a food Reactions can be life threatening Food intolerance – the body doesn’t digest certain chemicals properly Cause uncomfortable symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea Examples: Wheat gluten, lactose intolerance Food and drug allergies are diseases of the immune system. Intolerances and sensitivities are reactions of your digestive system not immune system.

Allergic Reactions Allergic reactions can be mild to very severe Symptoms can be almost immediate, or take up to a couple hours Mild reactions can include itching, eye and throat irritation, hives, swelling Severe reactions can include anaphylactic shock, closing of the airway, cardiac arrest Some people will wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. Many do not. Reactions can vary person to person; sometimes reactions to various allergens also differ for one person.

Food Allergies This is an accurate depiction of what some people experience during anaphylaxis https://www.youtube.com/embed/HX4yBmuazqM?ecver=1 http://go.ncsu.edu/opr27z

Preventing Cross-Contact Cross-contact occurs when an allergen is unintentionally transferred from a food containing an allergen to a food that does not contain the allergen. Cooking and sanitizing do not eliminate the risk. Storage – separate and properly label allergens Handling – clean utensils and surfaces after contact with allergens Surfaces – Clean between allergen an non-allergen foods Handwashing – both preparation and service Buffet service – label service utensils and communicate with customers How do you think you can control allergens in these areas? Storage Handling Surfaces Handwashing Buffet service

Handling and Serving Allergens Be sure to wash hands when switching from allergen to non-allergen foods Use separate preparation and cooking surfaces or clean between foods Use separate utensils when serving food Label or color code to prevent confusion

Reacting to Emergencies Plan ahead for a quick response, including who will call 911 Understand what may happen Epinephrine injections Customers’ reactions Alert a responsible adult if you suspect a allergic reaction If someone receives an epinephrine shot they should go to the emergency room for observation and possibly further treatment

Discussion You’re having a cook out at your house. Your cousin is allergic to dairy and asked about whether or not there is any dairy in the homemade burgers. You think the burger should be fine without cheese but you aren’t positive. How should you respond? Where could allergens be hiding?

Review Eight major allergens Preventing cross-contact during preparation and handling Answering customer questions Reacting to emergencies