Teaching Your Allergy Child to Read Food Labels:

A Guide for Parents

When your child has food allergies, one of the best things you can do is teach your whole family how to read food labels. For children aged 8 and older, learning to check labels isn’t just about preventing allergic reactions – it’s a real confidence booster! It gives them independence, helps them feel in control, and makes them responsible when choosing their food. With allergies on the rise, understanding food labels is key to keeping your child safe whether they’re at home, school, or out with friends.

Why teach your child to check labels?

Once your child hits middle school age, they’re keen to start doing things on their own – like choosing snacks, picking up food at the supermarket, or ordering at a coffee shop or café. That’s when learning to read labels becomes so important.

In the UK, food labels are regulated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and there are rules in place to make sure ingredients and allergens are clearly listed. But, food packs can be difficult to understand, so it’s important that your child understands the basics.

By helping them learn to read labels, you’re not just reducing the risk of allergic reactions. You’re giving them key skills to make healthy, safer food choices, which can give them more confidence when eating out and reduce their anxiety around food.

What your child needs to know about food labels

There are a few key things on food labels that your child needs to pay attention to. Let’s break them down:

  1. Ingredients List
    The ingredients list shows everything that’s in a product, starting with the biggest amount and working down. This is the most important part for kids with food allergies – you need to check it carefully to make sure there’s nothing in there that your child can’t eat. For example, if your child’s allergic to peanuts, they need to look for peanuts (or peanut butter, oil, etc.). Also, allergens can have other scientific names (like ‘lactose’, ‘casein’ or ‘whey’ for milk), so make sure they understand that! You should have a full list of your child’s allergens and any variant descriptions from your allergy clinic.

  2. Allergen Information (Bold or in Capitals)
    In the UK, the 14 most common allergens must be clearly labelled, either in the ingredients list or in a separate statement (like ‘may contain’). These allergens will be in bold or CAPITAL LETTERS, making them easy to spot. Always check these labels before eating anything new! In fact, always check every label every time... because manufacturers do change their recipes from time to time.

  3. ‘May Contain’ Warnings and Cross-Contamination
    Some food might say “may contain traces of” a certain allergen. This means the food might have had contact with allergens during processing. These warnings are important, so make sure your child knows to take them seriously, even if the food doesn’t directly list the allergen as an ingredient. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

  4. Nutrition Information
    While allergens are the main concern, it’s also good to teach your child how to check the nutrition facts. Things like calories, sugars, fats, and protein can help them choose healthier options. So, even if they can’t eat everything, they can still make better choices and find safe, nutritious alternatives.

How to teach your child to read labels

Now that we know what to look for, here are some easy ways to teach your child to read food labels:

  1. Take Them Shopping
    Get your child involved in the weekly shopping trip! Let them pick out their own snacks and check the labels themselves. You can even turn it into a fun game – a label treasure hunt – where they try to find foods that are safe for them to eat. This gives them a sense of ownership and helps them practice checking labels.

  2. Positive Reinforcement
    When your child successfully identifies a safe food or avoids something with allergens, give them praise! This encourages them to keep learning and builds their confidence in making smart food choices.

  3. Teach About Cross-Contact and ‘May Contain’ Labels
    Make sure your child understands that ‘may contain’ warnings are there for a reason – even if an ingredient isn’t listed, it could still be in the food because of cross-contact. Help them learn when to avoid foods with these warnings, especially things like baked goods or processed snacks.

Teaching your child how to read food labels is a game-changer. It gives them the tools to make safer choices, reduces anxiety, and boosts their independence when it comes to food. By taking them shopping, practising reading labels together, and teaching them about cross-contamination, you’re helping them take control of their food allergies. This skill is essential for their well-being and will set them up for success in managing their allergies on their own.

Full child-friendly explanations of food labels can be found in Davina’s book, ‘Have you ever seen a Bee with Hives? All you need to know about food allergies and how to deal with them.’ Available at www.davinasteel.co.uk/shop