The Quebec Food Allergy Association (AQAA) has released the 2008 edition of their Food Allergy Management Manual for Restaurants and Food Services. The manual was previously published in 2004.

The fifth workshop on food allergen methodologies will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, from May 11-14, 2008.  The event is co-organized by The Bureau of Chemical Safety in Health Canada's Food Directorate, and the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program (FARRP) from the University of Nebraska, U.S.A.

 A recent study funded by the UK Food Standards Agency, has reported that parents are far more likely to believe babies are allergic to some foods than they actually are.

The 2008 Annual Allergen Bureau Conference in Sydney 26 February has sold out following its enormous success at the Brisbane venue on 12 February with strong participation from all sectors of the industry.

The new version of the popular supplier questionnaire - the Product Information Form (PIF) was launched today at the Allergen Bureau Conference in Brisbane, signifying the successful conclusion of an initial pilot and review stage during the past 18 months. 

Late last year the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) released a report, 'Economic Impact of Allergies' that states the financial cost of allergies (including food allergy) in Australia was $7.8 billion in 2007. This is due to lower productivity ("presenteeism" $4.2 billion), direct medical costs ($1.2 billion) lower employment rates ($1.1 billion), absenteeism and lost household productivity ($0.2 billion) and premature death ($83 million).