The research will be used to help produce clearer allergy information for consumers.
The study, carried out by the University of Surrey, involved participants being accompanied during a routine food shop and interviewed at length to find out what they were thinking when they chose each product.
The research found that when people were making choices about buying or eating a particular food:
Sue Hattersley, head of food allergy at the FSA, said: “This research shows the importance of clear allergy labelling on food products. Shopping for food can prove to be very difficult and time-consuming for people with food allergies, and we urge food manufacturers and businesses to follow our best practice guidance when providing allergy information. This can make simple everyday tasks such as food shopping or eating out a safer, less stressful and more pleasurable experience for people with food allergies.”
The results are being used to inform dietary advice to consumers with nut allergies and to steer the development of food allergy labelling policy.
Source: Food Standards Agency
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