31 July 2019
Food service project
New National Allergy Strategy e-training courses, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, are now available for cooks and chefs to help improve food allergen management in food service, including camps.
All about Allergens: The next step for cooks and chefs has been developed with cooks and chefs with experience in commercial kitchens. It focuses on food preparation, handling and storage and highlights the importance of effective communication between the kitchen and other staff and consumers with food allergy.
Two courses – one for general food service and another for camp providers – have been developed to provide information relevant to the specific settings. The first All about Allergens course should be completed before undertaking the new course for cooks and chefs.
To access the All about Allergens courses including the new courses and supporting resources visit www.foodallergytraining.org.au
Food allergy aware
The National Allergy Strategy is launching a food allergy awareness campaign aimed at communicating the shared responsibility when it comes to food allergen management in food service. Consumers, food service providers, legislators and those who conduct inspections and audits of premises, all have a role to play in food allergen management.
A new Food Allergy Awareness website has been developed as part of the awareness campaign. This website is a resource hub for consumers, food service providers, environmental health officers/authorised officers and health care providers.
Visit the website: www.foodallergyaware.org.au
Nip allergies in the Bub
The national roll-out of Nip allergies in the Bub commenced on the 24th June 2019 with a media launch in Sydney. The launch was successful in attracting a lot of media attention, helping to promote the website to all in the community.
A social media campaign has commenced with a focus on promoting the Nip allergies in the Bub website to parents. The social media campaign will focus on introducing the common allergy causing foods as well as optimising eczema management to help prevent the development of food allergy.
Visit the website: www.preventallergies.org.au
250K youth project
We have been receiving positive feedback about the 250K young adults website and have also received some registrations of interest for the peer mentor program.
Planning for the next 250K youth camp has commenced and is planned to be in Melbourne in late November 2019.
Visit the 250K website and Facebook page for news items and updates www.250K.org.au
Shared care model for allergy in Australia
The Shared Care Model project is continuing to engage with stakeholders. Consultation with stakeholders has been guided by three phases:
- Phase 1 – National online surveys of health care professionals and consumers (conducted in February 2019)
- Phase 2 – Face to face consultation with key invited stakeholders (held in April 2019)
- Phase 3 – Targeted consultation with key groups/bodies/organisations (August – October 2019)
The Shared Care Model project is moving into Phase 3 of consultation which will involve targeted discussions with key individuals and groups to better understand whether a shared care model for patients with allergic conditions could improve access to quality care, and what the practical arrangements of a shared care model might look like.
Stakeholders are reminded that the consultation process is still open, and the National Allergy Strategy will continue to seek input, views and guidance from stakeholders until October 2019.
For more information about the project or to register your interest, please visit:
nationalallergystrategy.org.au/projects/shared-care-model-for-allergy
Australian Digital Health Agency project
The National Allergy Strategy has received funding from the Australian Digital Health Agency to progress some work regarding allergy information and My Health Record. This project will involve engaging with clinical immunology/allergy specialists and other health care professionals working in allergy and the community about allergy documentation in My Health Record.
For more information, contact Sandra Vale, National Allergy Strategy Manager (
Farewell
We would like to thank Tristan Schwartzkopff for all his hard work on the National Allergy Strategy food service project over the past year. We acknowledge the contribution that Tristan has made to the National Allergy Strategy and wish him all the best with his continued work with the WA School Canteen Association and private practice.
Thank you
The National Allergy Strategy would like to thank the many individuals and stakeholders who have contributed the National Allergy Strategy projects.
Stay informed about the National Allergy Strategy
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed or visit the National Allergy Strategy website: www.nationalallergystrategy.org.au