The Jubilee and allergies: top tips for celebrating safely

The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations are almost upon us! With an estimated 16,000 street parties planned across the country, if you have allergies, it’s important to think ahead. See below for our top tips on staying safe and making sure nothing gets in the way of you and your guests/customers having a fantastic Jubilee weekend.

Food allergies

Remember that most street parties are not hosted by registered food businesses and, whilst organisers are encouraged to provide allergen information, it’s not a legal requirement.

Follow our top tips for staying safe with food allergies:

• Make sure you have your medication with you, that it’s in date and that you know how to use it.
• Ask about ingredients, how the food is prepared and whether cross-contamination with your allergens is likely. Speak clearly, factually, politely and calmly.
• If the risks seem high because you cannot find out ingredients, or you suspect the food has been prepared with or near your allergens, don’t eat it.
• Bring some pre-packed safe food from home as a backup if needed.
• Always tell someone you’re with if you think you’re having a reaction.
• Treat your reaction according to your emergency care plan and dial 999, or get a friend to do so.
• If you feel at all faint or dizzy, lie down on the floor, ideally with your knees up on a chair. Don’t stand up suddenly.

If you purchase food from a registered food business, for example a catering truck, allergen food information regulations apply – see our guide to eating out for more details and tips.

If you’re hosting a party and would like more information, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a handy guide here: ‘How to safely host a street party’. The FSA recommends that you provide as much information about allergens as possible.
‘The more information you can provide about the ingredients in the food you serve the better. This will allow everyone to make safe choices when choosing food to eat, particularly those with specific food allergies. There are resources available if you wish to display?allergen guidance.’

Natural rubber latex allergy

If you have an allergy to natural rubber latex, it is important that you avoid enclosed spaces that might have latex balloons on display.

Latex allergens may become airborne and inhaled, which can mean party balloons are a real concern for people living with natural rubber latex allergy.

• Check in advance with party organisers to find out if they’re planning to have latex balloons.
• Ask if foil balloons could be used instead or alternative decorations.
• Share our Latex Allergy Factsheet with party organisers to raise awareness.

For more information see our Latex Allergy Factsheet.