Food Allergy Awareness for Parents

What you will be able to do

• explain the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance in plain words.
• recognise the signs of a mild reaction and the signs of anaphylaxis, and know that anaphylaxis means giving the adrenaline injector (if prescribed) and calling 000 straight away.
• read an Australian food label for the mandatory allergens, including bold allergen names, the 'Contains:' statement and 'may contain' statements.
• set up simple kitchen habits that cut the risk of cross-contact at home.
• prepare for eating out, travel, parties and family visits with a written allergy card.
• share clear, up-to-date allergy information with a childcare service, family day care educator or school.
• teach your child, step by step, to understand and manage their own allergy as they grow.
• You will know when to go back to the GP, child and family health nurse or allergy specialist, and where to find support.

1. 1Understanding Food Allergy

   What a food allergy is, how it differs from an intolerance, and how allergies are properly diagnosed in Australia.

   • Allergy or intolerance? Knowing the difference
   • How food allergy is diagnosed in Australia

   Mandatory Allergens Checklist

2. 2Recognising a Reaction and Anaphylaxis

   How to spot mild, moderate and severe reactions, and exactly what to do when anaphylaxis means giving adrenaline and calling 000.

   • Signs of an allergic reaction
   • Anaphylaxis: give adrenaline and call 000
   • Allergy action plans and prescribed medicines

   Emergency Information Sheet

3. 3Allergen Labelling in Australia

   The allergens that must be declared on Australian food labels, how to read bold allergens, the 'Contains:' statement and 'may contain' warnings, and the rules for unpackaged food and food recalls.

   • The allergens Australian labels must declare
   • Reading ingredients lists and 'may contain' warnings
   • Food made in store, unpackaged food and food recalls

   Mandatory Allergens ChecklistLabel Checking Card

4. 4An Allergy-Aware Home

   Simple kitchen and household habits that cut the risk of cross-contact, plus how to shop, cook and live together as a family.

   • Cross-contact and kitchen habits
   • Shopping and meals that work for everyone
   • Siblings, visitors and family life

   Allergy-Aware Kitchen CheckEmergency Information Sheet

5. 5Eating Out, Travel and Celebrations

   How to plan restaurant meals, takeaways, holidays, parties and playdates so your child can join in safely.

   • Eating out and takeaways with confidence
   • Holidays and travel
   • Parties, playdates and special occasions

   Eating-Out Allergy Card

6. 6Childcare, School and Growing Independence

   Working with childcare and schools, and teaching your child to manage their own allergy at each age, including the teenage years.

   • Working with childcare, family day care educators and school
   • Teaching your child, age by age

   Childcare and School Allergy Information Template

7. 7Babies, Balanced Diets and Looking After Yourself

   Updated ASCIA advice on introducing common allergens to babies, keeping a restricted diet balanced, and managing the worry that often comes with food allergy.

   • Introducing common allergens to babies
   • Keeping a restricted diet balanced
   • Managing worry and finding support

   Mandatory Allergens ChecklistEmergency Information Sheet

• ListMandatory Allergens ChecklistMark which of the allergens that must be declared on Australian food labels your child must avoid, and see where each one often hides.
• CardsLabel Checking CardA pocket card set that walks you through checking any Australian food label for your child's allergens in under a minute.
• TemplateEating-Out Allergy CardCreate a clear, printable card to hand to restaurant, café or takeaway staff so the chef knows exactly what your child must avoid.
• TemplateChildcare and School Allergy Information TemplateGive your child's childcare service, family day care educator or school one clear page about their allergy, medicines and contacts, ready for a planning meeting.
• TemplateEmergency Information SheetOne page that tells any adult caring for your child what to look for and what to do in an allergic emergency, with 000 at the top.
• CheckerAllergy-Aware Kitchen CheckTick the habits already in place in your kitchen to see where small changes could cut the risk of cross-contact.