The survey, which involved 2,187 UK participants, aimed to reveal common perceptions and misconceptions regarding vegan food and its relation to food allergies.
According to the survey, 72% of respondents and 75% of those with a food allergy believe that vegan food does not contain any ingredients derived from animals, making it safe for individuals with allergies to ingredients such as milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans or molluscs.
High Speed Training’s latest report highlights that this perception is false. While the term 'vegan' generally implies that products do not contain ingredients sourced from animals, the reality of food manufacturing processes can lead to the presence of animal-based allergens in vegan products.
Celia Marsh, a 42 year-old mother of five who was diagnosed with a cow’s milk allergy, died in 2017 after eating a super-veg rainbow flatbread from Pret a Manger labelled as ‘vegan’ and ‘dairy-free’ which, unbeknownst to her was contaminated with milk protein.
Almost three-quarters of those surveyed 74% agreed that there should be a clear definition for vegan food, indicating strong support of the cause.
Dr. Richard Anderson, head of learning and development at High Speed Training, said: “It’s incredibly important for food labelling and descriptions to match the ingredients and manufacturing methods used to create the product.
“Without this, the public are unable to make informed choices about what they eat to match their beliefs and dietary requirements, whether these are ethical or medical. Ultimately, a lack of understanding or clarity on what a food label, such as ‘vegan’, entails can be life-threatening.
"Our report shows that there is currently a widespread and potentially dangerous misconception into what a ‘vegan’ label means for the food product on which it’s placed, with the vast majority of people believing that vegan food is safe for individuals with animal-based allergies, such as milk or eggs, to eat. As this is not the case, it’s paramount we act to reduce this misunderstanding and protect the health of allergy sufferers."