Food allergy can be fatal.
It doesn't have to be.
Food Allergy Northern Ireland is a voluntary community organisation campaigning for safer food, stronger laws, and a better life for everyone living with food allergy across Northern Ireland.
Food Allergy Northern Ireland
- Every meal out.
- Every school day.
- Every label checked twice.
For thousands of people in Northern Ireland, this is daily life.
Food allergy is a serious, life-threatening condition – yet too often the systems meant to protect people are failing.
We are here to change that.
Who We Are
A network built on lived experience
We are an active advocacy network of parents, patients, nurses, teachers, food sector professionals, and community members from across Northern Ireland.
We are united by lived experience – navigating a world that is not designed to keep people with food allergy safe and of knowing that things do not have to be this way.
We came together because the systems that should protect people are failing – in restaurants, in schools, in hospitals, and in law. Between us, we bring expertise across clinical nursing, allergen safety, education, food industry, and sport – but this network is bigger than any one specialism.
It belongs to everyone who has ever read a menu with their heart in their mouth.
We advocate. We connect. We make noise.
Our Strategy
Support & Wellbeing
We are building a supportive community for people living with food allergies and their loved ones, helping improve mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
We want people to feel informed, supported, included, and less alone.
Awareness & Education
We are increasing public awareness of food allergies and their impact by educating schools, businesses, hospitality staff, sports clubs, and the wider community.
We want food allergies to be understood, respected, and taken seriously.
Allergy Policy for Schools
We are proud supporters of Benedict’s Law which is coming into England in 2026 and we continue to lobby our local government to improve allergy safety and create inclusive spaces in schools.
No child should be excluded from school activities or ever be asked to eat alone at school because of their allergy.
We want safer allergy policies, better staff training, and inclusive school environments for every child.
Data & Research
We work alongside researchers because together we can improve the quality of life for people living with food allergy.
We are lobbying our government to establish a Food Allergy Register in Northern Ireland so we can better understand how many people are affected and begin creating safer, more inclusive schools, workplaces, sports clubs, pubs, clubs, and restaurants.
Public Health & Awareness Campaigns
We want wider public understanding of food allergies and anaphylaxis. We support public health campaigns to help childminders, grandparents, friends, teachers, employers, and the wider public to recognise anaphylaxis, understand how serious food allergies can be, know what to do in an emergency, and better understand the impact allergies can have on daily life, relationships, social situations, dating, and mental wellbeing.
Hospitality & Owen’s Law
We want Northern Ireland to be inclusive and become a destination of travel for those with food allergies. To do this we need restaurants and hospitality businesses to take food allergy seriously. We are campaigning for a change to the law to make sure food allergens are in writing on all menus without the customer having to ask.
We support Owen’s Law and would like to see similar legislation introduced in Northern Ireland to improve allergy communication and safety when eating out.
We call for the Northern Ireland Assembly to change the Food Information Regulation of 2014, to make sure all food allergens are provided in writing on menus in schools, hospitals, restaurants etc.
Knowing what is in food is key to keeping people safe!
Get In Touch
We would love to hear from individuals, families, schools, healthcare professionals, businesses, researchers, and supporters across Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland is not immune.
In October 2024, a customer suffered a serious anaphylactic reaction at a Belfast restaurant — the business was later prosecuted.
Across these islands, deaths have been preventable and yet they keep happening.
Emma Sloan (14) died in Dublin in 2013. Giulia De Simone (21) died in Dublin in 2021. In Britain, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse (15), Owen Carey (18), Celia Marsh (42), Hannah Jacobs (13), and Benedict Blythe (5) all lost their lives to food allergy.
Every death preventable. Every family still fighting for change. This is why we exist.
Food Allergy Statistics
2.4 million
Adults in UK have a food allergy, with foods such as peanuts and tree nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds, are most likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Source: Food.gov.uk
+119%
rise in anaphylaxis hospital admissions in the UK since 2002.
Source: NHS England HES (2024)
Cows’ milk allergy
is one of the most common childhood food allergies (Allergy UK) and is the most common cause of fatal anaphylaxis in children aged under 16 years.
Source: Turner et al (2024)
Top 14 allergens
Below are the top 14 allergens regulated in UK but allergens can be found in foods that are not regulated by the FDA.
- milk, eggs, meat, and poultry
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
- Pet food, toys, and crafts
While death from food allergy is considered rare, preventable harm is on the rise. This is a public safety issue. There are over 160 different foods known to cause allergy with cow’s milk the most common in children in UK.
IN AN EMERGENCY
What to do during an anaphylactic reaction
Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and requires immediate action.
Do not wait to see if symptoms improve. If in doubt - act.
IF IN DOUBT — USE THE ADRENALINE AUTO-INJECTOR AND CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY.
Tell the operator: ANAPHYLAXIS — pronounced 'ANA-FIL-AX-IS'
Recognise the signs of anaphylaxis — act if ANY of these are present:
1.
- URGENT
Use the adrenaline auto-injector (AAI)
Inject into the outer mid-thigh without delay – through clothing if necessary. Do not hesitate. EpiPen, Jext, and Emerade are all used in the outer thigh.
2.
- URGENT
Call 999 immediately
Say the word ANAPHYLAXIS. You can call 999 from any phone, even with no credit remaining. Do this straight after giving adrenaline — do not wait to see if it works.
3.
Lay the person flat
Lay them flat on their back with legs raised. If breathing is difficult, allow them to sit up slightly. Do NOT sit them upright suddenly – this can cause cardiac arrest.
4.
Stay with them
Do not leave the person alone. Stay with them until the ambulance arrives. Keep them calm and still. Note the time adrenaline was given.
5.
Second dose if needed
If there is no improvement after 5 minutes AND a second auto-injector is available, use it. Give it in the other thigh.
6.
Begin CPR if needed
If the person shows no signs of life — no breathing, no response — begin CPR immediately and continue until the ambulance arrives.