Online food allergy myth-busting tool

The UK National Health Service has launched an online tool aimed at dispelling myths about food allergy and tolerance.

The tool takes the user through a series of 17 true/false questions about food allergy and food intolerance. Upon clicking on an answer, the tool will display a tick or a cross and provide a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Several links to other allergy resources are also provided on the page.

Examples of the ‘myths’ being addressed are “If you think you have an allergy or intolerance to a certain food, you should cut it out of your diet” (false); “You can be allergic to any foodstuff” (true); and “A food allergy or intolerance can be easily self-diagnosed” (false).

The tool, which would serve as a useful training component for food manufacturing or food service staff, can be accessed freely from the NHS website.