For many, travel is one of life’s great pleasures. Think beach getaways, bustling food markets, and doggy-eared Lonely Planet books. But, for the 1.5 million Aussies living with food allergies, the idea of hopping on a plane or grabbing a bite at a local cafe can be downright terrifying. In fact, a new survey by Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia reveals that 99% of people with food allergies experience travel anxiety, and a staggering 76% actively avoid travel altogether. So, what’s stopping them? Simple: fear of an allergic reaction, especially when eating out.
While this may sound dramatic. It’s not. A third of survey respondents reported having a reaction while travelling, with 42% needing hospitalisation and 36% requiring adrenaline. The culprit in most cases is dining out. Whether it’s a language barrier, hidden ingredients, or a waiter who forgot to check with the kitchen, eating away from home can feel like a high-stakes gamble.
But, just in time for Food Allergy Week (Sunday 25th May to Saturday 31st May 2025), help is here. Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia has just launched a game-changing, Aussie-first Food Allergy Travel Hub – a free online resource that takes the guesswork (and much of the stress) out of travelling with a food allergy. No more bumps in the road. Instead, this hub helps families plan with confidence and fly with peace of mind.
So, what’s in the hub? Think airline policy comparisons, translated chef cards to help you communicate your allergy overseas, packing checklists, tips for travelling with adrenaline devices, advice on travel insurance, and even guides for overseas school trips, caravanning and cruising. Whether you’re heading to Hobart or Hanoi, this hub is your go-to companion. It’s like packing your bags—without the baggage of worry.
Maria Said AM, CEO of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, wants to make one thing clear: “We don’t want people missing out on life because of their food allergy.” With international travel surging past pre-COVID levels, she says more people than ever are reaching out for support. Particularly when travelling to popular foodie hotspots like Japan, where unfamiliar ingredients can heighten the risks.
The new hub is already proving invaluable. Just ask Sydney mum Shirley Lay-Yee, whose daughters both live with food allergies. She describes the constant anxiety that shadows even a simple trip to the shops, let alone a plane ride across the globe. Last year, her daughter Paris, now 21, travelled solo to Korea and had an allergic reaction after eating at a popular fast-food chain. “My face and body flared up with welts, my throat was itchy, and I felt really hot,” Paris recalls. “It was scary, but I had planned well and was able to manage the reaction.”
Paris had spent hours trawling Reddit threads and travel forums just to feel prepared. “The new Food Allergy Travel Hub would’ve saved me so much time,” she says. “Everything I needed is now in one place.” It’s a smooth sailing solution for what used to feel like navigating stormy seas.
And, there’s more good news. An international study cited by Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia found that in-flight allergic reactions are rare and haven’t increased in decades. Even though more people with allergies are flying. That’s largely thanks to increased awareness and better preparation. The recent Aussie survey backs this up too. Only 2% of respondents reported an allergic reaction while flying, and none needed to use adrenaline. Proof that with the right tools, you really can travel light. And, travel safely.
Importantly, that doesn’t mean we can relax. Dr Sandra Vale from the National Allergy Council reminds us that allergic reactions happen just as often here at home as they do overseas. “Always tell hospitality staff about your food allergy and use translated chef cards,” she advises. “It could be the difference between a safe meal and a serious emergency.”
Dr Vale also has a message for food service providers: complete the free All About Allergens training courses. “It should be as common as Responsible Service of Alcohol,” she says.
With Australia clocking some of the highest rates of food allergy and anaphylaxis hospital admissions in the world, initiatives like this couldn’t be more crucial. So this Food Allergy Week, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia is encouraging all of us to plan well, travel safe, and visit the new Food Allergy Travel Hub at www.allergyfacts.org.au/travel. It might just be the passport to peace of mind you (or someone you love) have been looking for!
