Food Allergy Advocacy
Advocating for Safer Food Choices and Stronger Allergy Awareness
Living with food allergies requires constant vigilance. For many allergic individuals and families, reading food labels, asking questions at restaurants, and making safe food choices are part of daily life. Accurate food information is not simply a convenience; it is essential for safety.
The Allergy Foundation South Africa (AFSA), in partnership with Allegrow, is committed to supporting allergic families through food allergy advocacy. Together, we aim to improve food safety, encourage responsible food labelling, and give allergic consumers a voice.
Our Mission
Our AFSA Food Allergy Advocacy Group exists to support and protect allergic individuals and families by promoting safer food environments, improving allergen communication, and encouraging accountability across the food industry.
We believe that allergic consumers deserve:
- Accurate and complete food labelling
- Clear allergen information
- Safer dining and shopping experiences
- A platform to report concerns and share experiences
- Support through education, awareness and advocacy
What We Do
Reporting Incorrect or Incomplete Food Labelling
Food labels are an important safety tool for allergic consumers. Missing, unclear or inaccurate allergen information can place lives at risk.
Our advocacy group supports allergic families by:
- Empowering allergic individuals to report product labelling concerns and contact manufacturers
- Providing a platform where incorrect or incomplete food labelling information can be reported
- Contacting food manufacturers to raise concerns and seek clarification
Our goal is not to blame, but to work collaboratively with manufacturers and retailers to improve food safety and protect the allergic community.
Reporting Allergic Reactions Linked to Food Products or Dining Experiences
Experiences of allergic reactions provide valuable information that may help identify risks and prevent harm to others.
The advocacy group also supports the reporting of:
- Allergic reactions associated with packaged food products
- Reactions occurring after food consumed at restaurants, cafés or retail food outlets
- Concerns regarding ingredient information or allergen communication
Where appropriate, concerns may be raised with the relevant food manufacturers, restaurants or retailers to encourage investigation and corrective action.
Why Advocacy Matters
International allergy organisations recognise advocacy as an essential part of improving quality of life for allergic individuals and families. Advocacy helps raise awareness, strengthen communication, encourage safer food practices and ensure that patient voices are heard.
In South Africa, allergic families often face challenges such as unclear food labels, changing ingredients, limited allergen awareness and uncertainty when eating away from home. Through collective reporting and constructive engagement, we can contribute towards safer food environments and greater awareness.
Partnering with AFSA and Allegrow
AFSA and Allegrow have partnered to provide a practical reporting platform for the allergic community.
If you notice incorrect, unclear or incomplete product information, please submit your report here:
Every report helps build awareness and supports ongoing efforts to improve food safety for allergic families across South Africa.
Join the Advocacy Effort
Advocacy is strongest when the allergic community works together. By reporting concerns, sharing experiences and raising awareness, families can help drive positive change.
Together, we can work towards safer food choices, clearer allergen information and improved quality of life for everyone living with food allergies.