Food Allergen Awareness Course (EU): Allergy questions and emergencies

1. Question 1 of 15

   A customer asks if a dish contains nuts and you do not know. What should you do?

   • ACheck the allergen records, or ask the chef or manager
   • BSay it probably does not, to avoid keeping them waiting
   • CSay that no allergens are ever used in the kitchen
   • DTell them to read the menu and decide on their own
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Check the allergen records, or ask the chef or manager

   EU law says food information must be accurate. Never guess; check the records or ask someone who knows.

2. Question 2 of 15

   What is the European emergency number?

   • A100
   • B911
   • C116
   • D112
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 112

   112 is the European emergency number. It works everywhere in the EU.

3. Question 3 of 15

   Which statement about calling 112 is correct?

   • AIt is free from fixed and mobile phones everywhere in the EU
   • BIt works only in the country where your phone was bought
   • CIt works only from fixed phones
   • DCallers must pay unless it is a fire
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   Answer: A. It is free from fixed and mobile phones everywhere in the EU

   The Commission says 112 is available everywhere in the EU, free of charge, from fixed and mobile phones.

4. Question 4 of 15

   When you call for an ambulance for a possible severe allergic reaction, what should you say?

   • AOnly that someone feels unwell
   • BThat you think the person is having anaphylaxis
   • COnly the name of the dish
   • DThat the person has a food intolerance and feels sick
   Show answer

   Answer: B. That you think the person is having anaphylaxis

   The HSE advises saying that you think the person is having anaphylaxis.

5. Question 5 of 15

   A person showing signs of anaphylaxis has an adrenaline auto-injector. What does the HSE (Ireland) list as the first step?

   • AGive them a glass of water first
   • BWait an hour to see if it passes
   • CUse the auto-injector
   • DWait for the ambulance before using it
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   Answer: C. Use the auto-injector

   The HSE's first step is to use an adrenaline auto-injector if the person has one; the instructions are on the side of the device. Then call 112.

6. Question 6 of 15

   How should a person with anaphylaxis be positioned?

   • AStanding up and walking around
   • BLying down, or sitting up slowly if breathing is difficult
   • CSitting outside in the cold air
   • DBending forward with the head between the knees for ten minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Lying down, or sitting up slowly if breathing is difficult

   The HSE advises lying the person down. If breathing is difficult, they can sit up slowly or raise their shoulders.

7. Question 7 of 15

   After using an auto-injector, the person says they feel better and want to walk outside. What should you do?

   • ALet them walk, because the danger has passed once the injection is given
   • BKeep them lying or sitting and do not let them stand or walk
   • CAsk them to do a few steps to test how they feel
   • DHelp them walk to a car to go home
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Keep them lying or sitting and do not let them stand or walk

   The HSE says not to let the person stand or walk, even if they seem to feel better.

8. Question 8 of 15

   When should a second adrenaline auto-injector be used?

   • ANever, because only one may be used on a person
   • BStraight after the first one, every time, without waiting
   • COnly after one hour, if the person is still unwell
   • DIf symptoms get worse or do not improve after 5 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: D. If symptoms get worse or do not improve after 5 minutes

   The HSE says to use a second auto-injector if symptoms get worse or do not improve in 5 minutes.

9. Question 9 of 15

   A tourist calls 112 but does not know the address. What can the 112 operator do?

   • AFind the caller's location and pass it to the emergency services
   • BOnly give general information about the local area
   • CTransfer the call to the tourist's home country
   • DNothing, until the caller finds out the address
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Find the caller's location and pass it to the emergency services

   The Commission says the operator can identify the caller's location and pass it to the emergency services.

10. Question 10 of 15

    Which statement about 112 and national emergency numbers is correct?

    • A112 is only for road accidents
    • B112 works in every EU country, though many also keep their own numbers
    • C112 works only in countries without a national number
    • D112 has replaced every national emergency number in all EU countries
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 112 works in every EU country, though many also keep their own numbers

    112 works alongside national emergency numbers, which many countries keep, and it is available everywhere in the EU.

11. Question 11 of 15

    A customer says it is "only an intolerance". How should you treat their question?

    • AAsk them to prove it with a letter from a doctor
    • BIgnore it, because intolerances do not need answers
    • CWith the same care: check and answer accurately
    • DTell them the dish is fine without checking anything
    Show answer

    Answer: C. With the same care: check and answer accurately

    EU law says food information must be accurate. Staff cannot judge how serious a condition is, so check and answer accurately every time.

12. Question 12 of 15

    A dish has no nuts in the recipe but is made on trays shared with a nut tart. A nut-allergic customer asks about it. What is the best answer?

    • ASay it contains nuts as one of its ingredients
    • BSay it is completely nut-free, as the recipe shows
    • CSay staff are not allowed to discuss allergens
    • DExplain the shared trays: traces cannot be ruled out
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Explain the shared trays: traces cannot be ruled out

    Honest information about possible cross-contact lets the customer make a safe choice.

13. Question 13 of 15

    After taking an allergy order, how should it be passed to the kitchen?

    • ANot mentioned at all, as the chef will notice it
    • BClearly marked on the order, following the workplace procedure
    • CMentioned only if the kitchen is not too busy
    • DWritten on the bill after the customer has eaten
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Clearly marked on the order, following the workplace procedure

    EU food safety culture rules call for open and clear communication between all employees. Mark the allergy clearly and follow your workplace procedure.

14. Question 14 of 15

    What should staff training on allergens include, according to the Irish food authority?

    • AOnly how to design and print menus for the business
    • BOnly how to order ingredients from the suppliers
    • COnly the prices of the allergen-free dishes on the menu
    • DIdentifying and handling the 14 allergens, and customer concerns
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    Answer: D. Identifying and handling the 14 allergens, and customer concerns

    The FSAI says staff training should cover the identity and handling of the 14 allergens and how to address consumer concerns.

15. Question 15 of 15

    Ten minutes after eating, a customer's tongue is swelling and they are struggling to breathe. What comes first?

    • AHelp with their auto-injector and call 112, saying anaphylaxis
    • BAsk them to finish their meal slowly and sit quietly
    • CWalk them outside so they can get some fresh air
    • DGive them a glass of water and wait to see if it passes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Help with their auto-injector and call 112, saying anaphylaxis

    These are signs of anaphylaxis. The HSE says to use the person's adrenaline auto-injector, call 112 and say you think it is anaphylaxis.

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