Managing Food Allergies in Nursery Settings
23rd April 2025
Food allergies in children are becoming increasingly common, making it crucial for nursery settings to have comprehensive allergy management plans in place. According to research from Imperial College London, the number of people living with food allergies in England more than doubled between 2008 and 2018, with up to 4% of preschool-aged children having a probable food allergy.
Given this rising trend, nurseries must be well-prepared to manage food allergies effectively, ensuring the safety and inclusion of all children.
Proper allergy management is essential to ensure all children can safely enjoy their meals. This guide will provide practical steps to help nursery managers and staff manage common food allergies, prevent allergic reactions, and create an allergy-safe meal environment for young children.
Important Disclaimer
This article provides general information on managing food allergies in nursery settings. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have specific concerns about a child’s allergies, consult a healthcare professional.
Understanding Food Allergies in Children
First of all, when talking about food allergy management in nurseries, it's important to understand the difference between food allergies and food intolerances.
The Difference Between Food Allergies and Intolerances
A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a specific food as a harmful substance and launches a defence response, leading to symptoms such as hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis—a life-threatening reaction requiring immediate medical attention.
On the other hand, a food intolerance does not involve the immune system. Instead, it occurs when the body has difficulty digesting or processing a particular food. While food intolerances can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea, and nausea, they are not life-threatening and typically depend on the quantity of the food consumed.
Nurseries should be aware of this distinction to ensure appropriate responses.
Common Food Allergens
The 14 major allergens that nurseries should be mindful of include:
● Cow’s milk
● Eggs
● Peanut allergy
● Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews)
● Fish
● Shellfish
● Soy
● Wheat
● Sesame
● Lupin
● Mustard
● Sulphites (found in some dried fruits and processed foods)
For further details, refer to the Food Standards Agency.
The Importance of Early Identification of Allergies
Identifying food allergies early can help prevent severe reactions. You must find out if a child has any food allergies before they are admitted into your setting. Nurseries should gather detailed medical histories from family members and have discussions with parents and/or carers about common food allergens that have been introduced at home. These foods need to be introduced one at a time and in very small amounts so that you can spot any reaction.
Signs of an Allergic Reaction & What to Do
Nurseries should always follow designated procedures and expert guidance on how to manage allergies and what to do in the event of an allergic reaction. To prevent allergic reactions, the most effective approach is to find out which foods cause allergies and keep them away from children.
Even so, allergic reactions sometimes happen in children who are already diagnosed with allergies, as well as in those experiencing their first reaction. It is, therefore, important for practitioners to be trained to recognise allergic reactions and respond appropriately. Common symptoms of food allergies include:
Mild to Moderate Symptoms:
● Itchy mouth, lips, or throat
● Hives or skin rash
● Swelling of the lips, face, or eyes
● Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
Severe Symptoms (Anaphylaxis – Life-Threatening):
● Difficulty breathing
● Swelling of the tongue or throat
● Dizziness or fainting
● A sudden drop in blood pressure
For more information on symptoms and managing allergic reactions, visit the NHS website.
Identifying and Managing Food Allergies in Nursery Settings
To effectively prevent and manage food allergies in children, early years providers should develop an allergy management policy that includes the following points.
Communication with Parents
Effective communication with parents is essential for managing food allergies in children. Upon enrolment, it is important to gather detailed allergy information and maintain a comprehensive record of each child's allergies and dietary needs. For children with severe allergies, establishing a clear care plan is crucial. If you suspect that a child has a food allergy, encourage parents and/or carers to seek advice and diagnosis from a doctor.
Training Nursery Staff
Staff should be educated on identifying and responding to allergic reactions, with key members assigned the responsibility of administering emergency medication when needed. Interactive training sessions, including role-playing exercises, can enhance staff preparedness and improve response times in emergency situations.
Promoting allergy awareness among children can also help reduce accidental exposure to allergens as well as foster empathy and inclusion, creating positive mealtime experiences for all children.
For free practical resources on caring for children with food allergies, visit the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.
What to do in case of a reaction
Staff should be well-trained to recognise the symptoms of food allergies and know what to do in the event of a reaction. Specifically, staff must be able to immediately identify signs of a life-threatening reaction. These can include sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing, choking, or gasping.
In the event of a severe reaction, staff must immediately call 999 and clearly communicate the situation. Nurseries should ensure staff are trained in accordance with NHS and local health authority guidelines on administering prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injectors.
For free practical resources on dealing with food allergy reactions, visit the NHS website.
Preventing Cross-Contamination in a Nursery Setting
It is important to ensure safe practices that prevent cross contamination, both when preparing meals and during service and mealtime.
Safe Food Preparation & Storage
● To ensure food hygiene in nurseries, it's important to use separate utensils and chopping boards for allergen-free meals.
● Clean surfaces thoroughly to avoid cross-contact.
● Store allergen-free foods separately.
Read Food Labels Carefully
● Always check for hidden allergens in processed foods and read the ingredient list carefully.
● Be aware of ‘may contain’ warnings.
Safe Serving Practices
● Prevent food sharing between children.
● Use color-coded plates and utensils for allergen-free meals.
● Implement visual allergy alert systems (e.g. allergy charts in kitchens and classrooms).
● Create an allergen-free meal zone in the dining area.
Creating an Allergy-Safe Meal Plan
Ensuring that meals are balanced at the nursery can be a challenge, especially for children with food allergies. Here are some tips to help you create an allergy-safe and nutritious meal plan.
How nurseries can ensure all children receive nutritious meals
Substitute allergens with safe alternatives:
● Dairy-free milk (e.g. oat, almond, or soy milk).
● Egg substitutes such as mashed banana or applesauce.
● Gluten-free grains like quinoa or rice.
● Sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
Allergy-Friendly Snack Ideas
Offer healthy snacks:
● Fresh fruit and vegetable sticks
● Rice cakes with dairy-free spread
● Seed-based snack bars
● Homemade oat biscuits
● White bean dip with crackers
Working with a Nutrition Consultant
Working with a nutritionist can be invaluable in creating safe and inclusive menus. It is important to create positive mealtimes at the nursery so that children with allergies feel included and can take part in the social experience of eating with their friends.
The Value of Expert Catering Services for Nurseries
Partnering with an experienced nursery food supplier like Zebedees guarantees that no child misses out on high-quality, well-balanced meals tailored to their needs. With expert knowledge in child nutrition, professional caterers create menus that not only meet dietary guidelines but also appeal to young palates.
Common Challenges Nurseries Face When Managing Food Allergies
Managing food allergies in a nursery setting can be complex and time-consuming. Avoiding cross-contamination while ensuring that every meal is nutritious and tailored to individual dietary needs requires careful ingredient selection and rigorous preparation processes.
Even small trace amounts of an allergen can cause severe reactions in some children. Additionally, regular staff training to stay updated on best practices for handling allergens and responding to allergic reactions adds to the ongoing workload. For many nurseries, outsourcing to a specialist nursery catering provider can be a practical and effective solution.
How a Specialist Nursery Catering Provider Can Help
A specialist nursery food provider enhances both the quality and safety of meals, making them a seamless and stress-free part of daily nursery life. Meals are carefully prepared with safety and nutrition in mind. They understand the complexities of catering for allergies, intolerances, and cultural dietary requirements, reducing the risk of errors.
A specialist nursery catering provider can significantly ease the burden by ensuring that every meal is allergen-safe and customised to meet the specific needs of each child. Their expertise and structured, labelled processes help reduce the risk of errors, providing an extra layer of safety. By managing food preparation and compliance, these providers save nurseries valuable time while also giving parents and staff peace of mind, knowing that children’s dietary needs are being handled with care and professionalism.
Beyond compliance, an expert supplier makes mealtimes enjoyable, fostering healthy eating habits from an early age.
“Honestly putting your allergy baby in nursery is so so worrying and after knowing how well Rosie and your team understood allergens and how to accommodate them we knew it was going to be great having these meals and seeing the pictures here each day of what’s on the menu really helps my anxiety too. Big thanks” Parent Testimonial.
At Zebedees, our team of experts ensures that all dietary and allergy requirements are met. Our meals are prepared with stringent safety measures to ensure every child receives safe and nutritious food.
We comply with Food Standards Agency regulations, and allergen information is available in our Nursery Menu Information Packs.
Final Thoughts
Managing food allergies in nurseries is essential to ensuring child safety and inclusivity. By following strict food safety protocols, keeping staff well-trained, and partnering with a specialist catering provider, nurseries can create a secure environment where every child can enjoy safe and nutritious meals.
Ensure every child in your nursery enjoys safe, nutritious meals—risk-free! Experience Zebedees’ allergy-conscious catering service with a free trial.
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