Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his is taking to raise public awareness of the risk of (a) peanut and (b) bee sting allergies in the UK.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) works closely with allergy patient groups and the media to raise public awareness of the risk of peanut and other food allergies. In September 2018 the FSA ran a month-long awareness campaign targeted at 16-24-year-old consumers to encourage more dialogue between consumers and food businesses. This campaign used a variety of communication channels, including social media. Another awareness raising campaign is planned for February 2019.

The FSA also publishes a range of guidance, information and learning packs on food allergy issues for both those with food allergies and food businesses. FSA funded research is also made available to the public via the FSA website and scientific literature. This includes the highly-cited Learning Early About Peanut allergy study that looked at the introduction of peanut into the infant diet.

Raising awareness of bee sting allergies is led by health visitors and school nurses who can sign post to appropriate resources.