Can dietary strategies in early life prevent childhood food allergy? A report from two iFAAM workshops.

Food allergy affects a small but significant number of children and adults. Food allergy is responsible for considerable morbidity and is the commonest cause of anaphylaxis in children. One of the aims of the European Union-funded "Integrated Approaches to Food Allergen and Allergy Risk Management" (iFAAM) project was to improve our understanding of the best way to prevent the development of food allergy.

Understanding how consumers with food allergies make decisions based on precautionary labelling.

Background: Understanding consumer perceptions is crucial if effective food safety policy and risk communication are to be developed and implemented. We sought to understand how those living with food allergy assess risk with precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) and their preference in how risks are communicated within a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) framework.

Methods: The Integrated Approaches to Food Allergen and Allergy Risk Management (iFAAM) labelling online survey was developed for adults and parents of children with food allergy and distributed across Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain and UK via patient support groups.

Evidence-based approaches to the application of precautionary allergen labelling: Report from two iFAAM workshops.

Food allergy is a major public health concern with avoidance of the trigger food(s) being central to management by the patient. Food information legislation mandates the declaration of allergenic ingredients; however, the labelling of the unintentional presence of allergens is less defined. Precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) was introduced by the food industry to help manage and communicate the risk of reaction from the unintended presence of allergens in foods.

Anaphylaxis in the community: a questionnaire survey of members of the UK Anaphylaxis Campaign.

Objectives: To examine the circumstances, features and management of anaphylaxis in children and adults.

Design: Self-completed questionnaire.

Participants: The age of participants ranged from 0 to 72 years.

The RCPCH care pathway for children with venom allergies: an evidence and consensus based national approach.

Aims: The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Science & Research Department was commissioned by the Department of Health to develop national care pathways for children with allergies; the venom allergy pathway is the seventh pathway. The pathways focus on defining the competences to improve the equity of care received by children with allergic conditions.

Method: The RCPCH venom allergy pathway was developed by a multidisciplinary working group and was based on a comprehensive review of evidence.

The RCPCH care pathway for children with latex allergies: an evidence- and consensus-based national approach.

Aims: The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Science and Research Department was commissioned by the Department of Health to develop national care pathways for children with allergies; the latex allergy pathway is the seventh pathway. The pathways focus on defining the competences to improve the equity of care received by children with allergic conditions.

Method: The RCPCH latex allergy pathway was developed by a multidisciplinary working group and was based on a comprehensive review of evidence.

The RCPCH care pathway for children with drug allergies: an evidence and consensus based national approach.

Aims: The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) was commissioned by the Department of Health to develop a drug allergy pathway. It focuses on defining the competences to improve the equity of care received by children.

Method: The drug pathway was developed by a multidisciplinary working group and was based on a comprehensive review of evidence.