How to Keep Your Kitchen Allergen-Safe This Christmas 

The holidays are a time to enjoy with family and friends, but for those with allergies, they can also bring added challenges. Whether your guests have food allergies, asthma, or other sensitivities, it’s essential to prepare your home to minimise the risk of allergens and ensure everyone stays safe from allergic reactions. 

Food allergens are proteins found in foods that can trigger immune reactions, leading to symptoms that range from mild to severe, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. While any food can potentially cause an allergic reaction, the most common allergens include things like milk, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, seafood, and wheat. Contrary to the belief that small amounts of an allergen won’t cause a reaction, even very small, unseen amounts can trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals. Contamination happens when foods containing allergens come into contact with other foods or surfaces. The good news is, with the right steps, allergens can be removed from surfaces, cookware, and utensils to create a safer environment for everyone.  

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Christeyns, experts in cleaning solutions and allergen management, to bring you practical tips for hosting a safe and enjoyable Christmas celebration for guests with food allergies. 

1. Clean Thoroughly 

Proper cleaning is crucial to prevent cross-contamination. Whether you’re in a commercial or home kitchen, regularly and thoroughly cleaning surfaces and utensils helps minimise the risk of spreading allergens and harmful bacteria. 

Top Tips: 

• Use disposable paper towels and surface spray to wipe down all surfaces. Most supermarket brands of surface spray are fine for this purpose, as allergens are proteins that are removed by proper cleaning, rather than being “killed” like bacteria. Avoid cloth towels or sponges, as they can carry allergens and bacteria. When drying dishes, opt for paper towels instead of tea towels, as tea towels can also harbour allergens. 

• Dishwashers are your friend— they use high temperatures to thoroughly clean utensils and cookware, and can handle heavy-duty detergents, making them more efficient than hand washing. Just be sure not to overload the dishwasher to achieve the best results. 

• Pay attention to high-contact areas like fridge handles, taps, and oven knobs, where allergens can linger. 

• Certain areas of the kitchen, like the fridge, and the air-fryer are often overlooked during cleaning but can pose a significant risk for cross-contamination. Regularly clean the inside of your fridge to remove any residue from allergen-containing foods that may have spilled or transferred over time. Use a fridge thermometer to ensure the temperature stays between 4-6°C, keeping food safe and reducing the risk of cross-contamination. 

2. Allergen Safe Cooking Practice:  

Minimising cross-contact during meal preparation is crucial. Using separate equipment and utensils for allergen-free food ensures that food doesn’t become contaminated. 

Top Tips: 

• Designate separate utensils for allergen-free food and wash thoroughly in the dishwasher between uses. Color-coded tools can help avoid mistakes. 

• Avoid wooden utensils or chopping boards. Wood is naturally porous, meaning it can absorb food particles, oils, and allergens from previous uses. Even thorough cleaning may not fully remove allergenic proteins. 

• Pre-prepare meals in advance, especially if they need to be allergen-free. If you know you need a wheat free gravy or a dairy free cauliflower cheese, prep them before Christmas and pop them in the freezer with labels. 

• When in doubt, trust pre-packaged foods. Allergen labelling provides transparency, helping you safely serve guests without the guesswork. Many people with allergies feel more confident eating pre-packaged items. Remember to keep the packaging! 

• Label and store ingredients separately to avoid confusion. Keep allergen-free and allergenic foods in sealed, clearly labelled containers. 

• Wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water between preparing dishes. 

• If preparing allergenic and non-allergenic meals at the same time, set up separate areas and utensils for each type of food. 

3. Safe Serving Practices 

When it’s time to serve, take extra care to keep allergenic and non-allergenic foods apart. 

Top Tips: 

• Separate bowls for each dish will help prevent allergens from mixing. 

• Serve allergen-free foods first if possible, so guests with allergies can avoid cross-contamination. 

• For buffet-style meals, position allergen-free foods on one side of the table and keep serving spoons separate to avoid mixing. 

4. Open Communication 

Clear communication is key to making everyone feel comfortable and safe. If you have allergies, don’t hesitate to speak to your host in advance. As a host, make sure to check with guests about their specific allergies and how they prefer to be accommodated. 

Top Tips: 

• Ask guests about their allergies and ensure you’re clear on what precautions they need. It’s best to check in advance. 

• Always read labels carefully as unexpected allergens can be found in surprising places, such as crisps or sauces. All pre-packaged foods must have a label that includes a full ingredients list with the 14 major food allergens emphasised. 

• Approach allergy safety with empathy—remember that allergies are serious, and an allergic reaction can be life-threatening. Guests may feel nervous or anxious about eating, so offering polite reassurance and showing understanding can help them feel more comfortable and included. 

• Educate household members about the importance of allergy safety. Keeping allergic reaction in mind can create a safer environment for everyone. 

• Ask about emergency supplies—make sure you know the location of your guest’s adrenaline auto-injectors, such as an EpiPen or Jext, in case of an emergency. 

While it can be challenging to eliminate all allergens from a kitchen, thoughtful preparation can significantly reduce risks. By following these simple steps, you can make your kitchen a safe and welcoming place for guests with allergies where everyone feels included, allowing everyone to enjoy Christmas.  

For more tips and helpful resources, check out our ‘Living with Allergies’ section and our recent article on eating out with allergies at Christmas.