Presentations at this meeting addressed the impact of the new Food Information to Consumers Regulation (FIC) (Regulation (EU) 1169/2011) which came into effect at end of 2014. In particular the new legislation requires food manufacturers and caterers to provide information on fourteen major allergens. Providing this information on pre-packed products must follow set rules for inclusion of allergen information in the ingredients list however for non-pre-packaged food products, there are no specific rules and so the approach taken by caterers and restaurants varies which could cause confusion for consumers.

Detailed presentations on the diagnosis and management of food allergy highlighted the challenge for patients avoiding allergens in their diet and in everyday situations such as eating out, travelling etc while still having a nutritionally balanced diet.