10 months after the Food labelling regulations (FIR) where introduced, what's it like eating out with special diets?

Welcome to the Food allergy Aware Survey

We have compiled this survey is to understand the experiences of the food allergy, coeliac and food intolerant customer, 10 months after the introduction of the Food Information for Consumers (FIR) Regulations 1169/2011. The regulation which states that all food service businesses need to be able to inform the customer should any of their dishes contain one of the 14 allergens listed in Annex II of the regulations. The 14 allergens include; Cereals containing Gluten, (Wheat, Barley, Rye, Spelt & Oats), Crustaceans, Molluscs, Eggs, Fish, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy and Soybeans, Milk, Celery, Mustard, Sesame, Lupin, Sulphur Dioxide. We would like to understand your eating out experiences both positive and negative to enable caterers to learn from your experiences.

The data compiled will be used in an article for the hospitality industry to highlight good and bad practice and to give the industry an insight into the free from customer and how they can improve going forward.

Thank you for participating in the survey. If you would like to have feedback on the results please email me at consultancy@fatc.co.uk with 'Survey feedback' in the title or you can complete the contacts details at the end of the survey.

Question Title

* 1. Please highlight your demographic and which of the following you or a member of your family are affected by

Male

Female

Age under 16

Age 17-25

Age 26-50

Age 50+

Food allergy

Coeliac disease

Food intolerance

Cereals containing gluten, (Wheat, Barley, Rye, Spelt & Oats)

Crustaceans

Molluscs

Eggs

Fish

Peanuts

Tree Nuts

Soy and Soybeans,

Milk

Celery

Mustard

Sesame

Lupin

Sulphur dioxide

Other allergens(please specify)

Question Title

* 2. How often you eat out now and before the changes to labelling?

	once a week	more than once a week	Two to four times a month	Four - six times a month	I never dine/d out - don't feel safe	I don't dine out no choice
Before the regulations we/I dined out	Before the regulations we/I dined out once a week	Before the regulations we/I dined out more than once a week	Before the regulations we/I dined out Two to four times a month	Before the regulations we/I dined out Four - six times a month	Before the regulations we/I dined out I never dine/d out - don't feel safe	Before the regulations we/I dined out I don't dine out no choice
After the regulations we/I dined out	After the regulations we/I dined out once a week	After the regulations we/I dined out more than once a week	After the regulations we/I dined out Two to four times a month	After the regulations we/I dined out Four - six times a month	After the regulations we/I dined out I never dine/d out - don't feel safe	After the regulations we/I dined out I don't dine out no choice

Have the regulations made any difference to the frequency when choosing to dine out;

Question Title

* 3. Consider your eating out experiences during the last 3 months please tick the boxes as appropriate.

I always inform the venue of my allergies prior to arrival

I gave allergy information on arrival

My allergy/intolerance /CD was acknowledged on arrival

Although I gave notice of my allergies the venue didn't quite get it!

I was given allergy information when I was seated as a menu or documented table

I had to request allergy information

I found the the allergy information easy to understand

I found the allergy information confusing and difficult to understand

I was given the allergy information verbally from the server /manager /chef

Information was not readily available and I had to ask many questions to understand what was available for my allergen

I felt I was given conflicting information

I spotted errors on the allergen documentation and did not feel confident of the venue

All my eating experiences have been positive and since the FIR I am more confident when eating out

I do not feel confident eating out since the changes

Please tell us about a memorable positive or negative experience.

Question Title

* 4. Please complete if you have coeliac disease, wheat and or gluten allergy or intolerance

	True	False	Not applicable
I have definitely found more choices available since the regulations were introduced	I have definitely found more choices available since the regulations were introduced True	I have definitely found more choices available since the regulations were introduced False	I have definitely found more choices available since the regulations were introduced Not applicable
Although I was offered a gluten free menu the choices were very limited	Although I was offered a gluten free menu the choices were very limited True	Although I was offered a gluten free menu the choices were very limited False	Although I was offered a gluten free menu the choices were very limited Not applicable
Although there was a gluten free menu it was apparent that there were other items on the main menu which could have been included	Although there was a gluten free menu it was apparent that there were other items on the main menu which could have been included True	Although there was a gluten free menu it was apparent that there were other items on the main menu which could have been included False	Although there was a gluten free menu it was apparent that there were other items on the main menu which could have been included Not applicable
Where a gluten free menu was offered the staff had extensive knowledge on my requirements and cross contamination	Where a gluten free menu was offered the staff had extensive knowledge on my requirements and cross contamination True	Where a gluten free menu was offered the staff had extensive knowledge on my requirements and cross contamination False	Where a gluten free menu was offered the staff had extensive knowledge on my requirements and cross contamination Not applicable
When I was offered a gluten free menu the staff DID NOT understand coeliac disease or cross contamination	When I was offered a gluten free menu the staff DID NOT understand coeliac disease or cross contamination True	When I was offered a gluten free menu the staff DID NOT understand coeliac disease or cross contamination False	When I was offered a gluten free menu the staff DID NOT understand coeliac disease or cross contamination Not applicable
I felt safe when offered a gluten free menu in a large chain restaurant /hotel	I felt safe when offered a gluten free menu in a large chain restaurant /hotel True	I felt safe when offered a gluten free menu in a large chain restaurant /hotel False	I felt safe when offered a gluten free menu in a large chain restaurant /hotel Not applicable
I DID NOT feel safe when offered a gluten free menu in a large chain restaurant /hotel	I DID NOT feel safe when offered a gluten free menu in a large chain restaurant /hotel True	I DID NOT feel safe when offered a gluten free menu in a large chain restaurant /hotel False	I DID NOT feel safe when offered a gluten free menu in a large chain restaurant /hotel Not applicable
Small individual businesses offer a great range of gluten free choice and have more knowledge	Small individual businesses offer a great range of gluten free choice and have more knowledge True	Small individual businesses offer a great range of gluten free choice and have more knowledge False	Small individual businesses offer a great range of gluten free choice and have more knowledge Not applicable
Overall I now feel safe when eating out with my dietary requirements	Overall I now feel safe when eating out with my dietary requirements True	Overall I now feel safe when eating out with my dietary requirements False	Overall I now feel safe when eating out with my dietary requirements Not applicable

Comments: Please leave feedback of your experiences of eating out positive and/or negative

Question Title

* 5. Please respond if you have a dairy or milk allergy or lactose intolerance

	True	False	Not Applicable
Food Businesses understand what dairy products are (Milk, butter, cheese)	Food Businesses understand what dairy products are (Milk, butter, cheese) True	Food Businesses understand what dairy products are (Milk, butter, cheese) False	Food Businesses understand what dairy products are (Milk, butter, cheese) Not Applicable
Caterers often mistake eggs as dairy	Caterers often mistake eggs as dairy True	Caterers often mistake eggs as dairy False	Caterers often mistake eggs as dairy Not Applicable
Food businesses are able to provide accurate information on my requests	Food businesses are able to provide accurate information on my requests True	Food businesses are able to provide accurate information on my requests False	Food businesses are able to provide accurate information on my requests Not Applicable
I have problems finding starters which are suitable to my dietary needs	I have problems finding starters which are suitable to my dietary needs True	I have problems finding starters which are suitable to my dietary needs False	I have problems finding starters which are suitable to my dietary needs Not Applicable
I have problems finding desserts which are suitable to my dietary needs	I have problems finding desserts which are suitable to my dietary needs True	I have problems finding desserts which are suitable to my dietary needs False	I have problems finding desserts which are suitable to my dietary needs Not Applicable

Comments: Please leave feedback of your experiences of eating out positive and/or negative

Question Title

* 6. Please complete if you or your child has a peanut or tree nut allergy

	True	False	Not applicable
I have definitely found more choices available since the regulations were introduced	I have definitely found more choices available since the regulations were introduced True	I have definitely found more choices available since the regulations were introduced False	I have definitely found more choices available since the regulations were introduced Not applicable
Although I was offered 'nut' options the choices were very limited	Although I was offered 'nut' options the choices were very limited True	Although I was offered 'nut' options the choices were very limited False	Although I was offered 'nut' options the choices were very limited Not applicable
Businesses were reluctant to serve me	Businesses were reluctant to serve me True	Businesses were reluctant to serve me False	Businesses were reluctant to serve me Not applicable
I was told that all dishes 'may contain' nuts although nuts were maybe not on the menu	I was told that all dishes 'may contain' nuts although nuts were maybe not on the menu True	I was told that all dishes 'may contain' nuts although nuts were maybe not on the menu False	I was told that all dishes 'may contain' nuts although nuts were maybe not on the menu Not applicable
Staff understood the seriousness of my request	Staff understood the seriousness of my request True	Staff understood the seriousness of my request False	Staff understood the seriousness of my request Not applicable
I felt safe when offered nut free options in a large chain restaurant /hotel	I felt safe when offered nut free options in a large chain restaurant /hotel True	I felt safe when offered nut free options in a large chain restaurant /hotel False	I felt safe when offered nut free options in a large chain restaurant /hotel Not applicable
I felt safe when offered nut free options in a small independent business	I felt safe when offered nut free options in a small independent business True	I felt safe when offered nut free options in a small independent business False	I felt safe when offered nut free options in a small independent business Not applicable
Overall I now feel safe when eating out with my dietary requirements	Overall I now feel safe when eating out with my dietary requirements True	Overall I now feel safe when eating out with my dietary requirements False	Overall I now feel safe when eating out with my dietary requirements Not applicable

Question Title

* 7. Overall how would you rate the following since the change in labelling regulations for food service businesses

	Very Poor	Poor	Average	Good	Excellent
Chains restaurants /hotels - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease	Chains restaurants /hotels - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Very Poor	Chains restaurants /hotels - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Poor	Chains restaurants /hotels - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Average	Chains restaurants /hotels - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Good	Chains restaurants /hotels - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Excellent
Small private food businesses - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease	Small private food businesses - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Very Poor	Small private food businesses - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Poor	Small private food businesses - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Average	Small private food businesses - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Good	Small private food businesses - Staff knowledge of allergens/allergies/coeliac disease Excellent
Chains restaurants /hotels - Understanding of cross contamination	Chains restaurants /hotels - Understanding of cross contamination Very Poor	Chains restaurants /hotels - Understanding of cross contamination Poor	Chains restaurants /hotels - Understanding of cross contamination Average	Chains restaurants /hotels - Understanding of cross contamination Good	Chains restaurants /hotels - Understanding of cross contamination Excellent
Small private food businesses - Understanding of cross contamination	Small private food businesses - Understanding of cross contamination Very Poor	Small private food businesses - Understanding of cross contamination Poor	Small private food businesses - Understanding of cross contamination Average	Small private food businesses - Understanding of cross contamination Good	Small private food businesses - Understanding of cross contamination Excellent
Accuracy of written information available	Accuracy of written information available Very Poor	Accuracy of written information available Poor	Accuracy of written information available Average	Accuracy of written information available Good	Accuracy of written information available Excellent
Availability of products	Availability of products Very Poor	Availability of products Poor	Availability of products Average	Availability of products Good	Availability of products Excellent
Verbal communication of allergen information from servers	Verbal communication of allergen information from servers Very Poor	Verbal communication of allergen information from servers Poor	Verbal communication of allergen information from servers Average	Verbal communication of allergen information from servers Good	Verbal communication of allergen information from servers Excellent

Comments:

Question Title

* 8. Food businesses understanding of Cross Contamination - When you have informed food businesses of your dietary requirements

	Yes	No	Occasionally	Not applicable
Breakfast buffet in hotel - Were you offered a plated breakfast	Breakfast buffet in hotel - Were you offered a plated breakfast Yes	Breakfast buffet in hotel - Were you offered a plated breakfast No	Breakfast buffet in hotel - Were you offered a plated breakfast Occasionally	Breakfast buffet in hotel - Were you offered a plated breakfast Not applicable
Have you been offered bread to cook in a shared toaster	Have you been offered bread to cook in a shared toaster Yes	Have you been offered bread to cook in a shared toaster No	Have you been offered bread to cook in a shared toaster Occasionally	Have you been offered bread to cook in a shared toaster Not applicable
Have you been offered chips cooked in same fryer as allergen containing products as safe	Have you been offered chips cooked in same fryer as allergen containing products as safe Yes	Have you been offered chips cooked in same fryer as allergen containing products as safe No	Have you been offered chips cooked in same fryer as allergen containing products as safe Occasionally	Have you been offered chips cooked in same fryer as allergen containing products as safe Not applicable
Have you been served food on chopping boards/slates?	Have you been served food on chopping boards/slates? Yes	Have you been served food on chopping boards/slates? No	Have you been served food on chopping boards/slates? Occasionally	Have you been served food on chopping boards/slates? Not applicable
Have you been told by a caterer that heat kills an allergen?	Have you been told by a caterer that heat kills an allergen? Yes	Have you been told by a caterer that heat kills an allergen? No	Have you been told by a caterer that heat kills an allergen? Occasionally	Have you been told by a caterer that heat kills an allergen? Not applicable

Comments: If any, what is the worst situation of cross contamination you have come across;

Question Title

* 9. If you would like to receive the results of our survey, or are happy to be contacted to clarify your responses please add your email and/or telephone number so we can contact you

Name

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Phone Number

Thank you for completing this survey to help us educate and inform food businesses of how they can improve on their current food allergy offerings by using your feedback.

Regards

Caroline
Food Allergy Aware