TRAILBLAZING pupils at Wootey Junior School got busy in the kitchen last week, learning about food allergies and ingredients in a hands-on workshop hosted by Genius Gluten Free founder Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne.

Following research which revealed a significant lack of knowledge and understanding among UK schoolchildren when it comes to food allergies and ingredients, Genius has partnered with Allergy Adventures and the Anaphylaxis Campaign to help combat the problem.

As a result, 54 children were invited to take part in a fun-filled workshop, where they also got to create an allergy-free dish to take home.

The event was the first in a series of workshops that will be held across the country to increase knowledge and awareness of food allergies among children.

The Genius research showed that 80 per cent of British schoolchildren now have a classmate with an allergy but more than half (51%) of the children surveyed in the South East claimed to have never been taught about food allergies by a teacher.

What’s more, one eighth (13%) of those surveyed thought that those with an allergy to eggs can still eat them if they are scrambled or in an omelette and nearly one in five (17%) believed that people with a nut allergy can still enjoy peanut butter.

Lucinda explained: “These statistics show the reality of how little our children know about allergies and food ingredients. It is so important that children learn about different dietary requirements from a young age, and it’s equally important they are aware of the symptoms associated with different food allergies.

“We are delighted to be working with Allergy Adventures and the Anaphylaxis Campaign to help children gain a better understanding in a fun and engaging way.”

Hailey Phillips, founder of Allergy Adventures, added: “An increasing number of children across the UK now have some form of allergy. Diagnosis can be a daunting and confusing experience both for them and their parents. Helping educate children in schools about allergies and ingredients can do so much to help normalise life for children managing them.

“I think it’s fantastic to be working with Genius Gluten Free and the Anaphylaxis Campaign to help even more children across the country.”

Katherine Monston, from Wootey Junior School, said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed having Genius Gluten Free and Allergy Adventures in the school.

“It was a brilliant way to help children with allergies feel included and understood, and to really focus on those who often miss out on food sharing experiences because of their allergies.”

For more details on Allergy Adventures, visit allergyadventures.com.

For more details on the Anaphylaxis Campaign and for advice and support with dealing with a severe allergy, visit anaphylaxis.org.uk.