Mike, the mice pies sound interesting...

To be on the 'safe side' get the person carrying out the baking to produce a sign 'may contain nuts or nut products'.

On the back of my 'tongue in cheek' response, is it true to say that an allergy can happen to anyone at any time - similar to bee stings? If that's the case, you can't cover all bases anyway.

Occasionally, during the year, I bring home-made cakes / biscuits / sweets into the office. I tell people what is in them although I don't list the ingredients on the container they are in. As Mike says in post #1, people who know they have allergies do tend to ask. However, in the spirit of good communication I will make an effort to put the info with the tin, just feel like it's a bit OTT. That's my half ounce for what it's worth!

As others have commented already, people with food allergies tend when buying or ordering food to ask if it contains whatever ingredient they know will harm them. For example, one of my late relatives was very allergic to mushrooms. Shopping for packaged food wasn't usually a problem because she could check the ingredients listed on the packaging. However, she occasionally had problems with waiters/waitresses in cafes and restaurants who didn't understand/care about food allergy matters and therefore didn't bother to check with kitchen staff despite being asked to do so. Though I'm not sure myself what constituent/s of mushrooms affected my late relative, their adverse effect occurred quite quickly. (To avoid any confusion, "late" in regard to my relative means deceased - she could never be described as retarded or unpunctual! ) Mike C - On a jocular note, where's the saga promised in your topic title? If it's still to come, will it be as enthralling as a good Icelandic saga with plenty of passion, violence and perhaps references to the latest local volcanic eruptions? If there's actually no saga available, will you be at risk of action under consumer legislation about trades descriptions?!!!!

I'm wondering if that contravenes the Equality Act...but to my point... Mrs D is seriously nut allergic, and we've had a couple of scary moments when eating out. On one occasion she'd asked the waiter if a dish had nuts in, as she is allergic, and was told that it didn't. She started reacting as soon as the first forkful touched her lips...once we'd dealt with the immediate issue (two pints of milk and some Piriton work wonders if the allergen dose has been small enough), we complained loudly to the waiter who told us "Oh yeah, well there's nuts in the sauce, obviously." So yes, we always ask...but even if we've been given the all clear, we proceed with caution if we're eating somewhere we're not familiar with. As for the OP's question, I'd say anything containing nuts should have a sign saying so. Anything that may have become contaminated with nuts (for example, carried in the same cake tin as a nut-containing product) should say so as well. Beyond that, people with allergies know how to look after themselves!

Not my favourite. I do like ratatouille though.

Paul, I sympathise with Mrs D - I really do, but surely if its that serious you must realise by now that eating out is akin to Russian roulette. I certainly would not trust any eating establishment with my life

I prefer the three mouseketeers...

I don't suppose Raturn of the Jedi is on this Xmas is it? Or Dirty Ratten Scoundrels? (Groan)

Walker, you're right, I'd never thought of it like that. I'll tell her that from now on, she's only allowed to eat at home, and all food must have been grown in our own garden so we can be sure of its provenance. Lucky she's a veggie as I don't have the skills to rear livestock successfully, and I think the neighbours might complain. Having worked in various catering extablishments through college (my Dad ran an outside catering firm), I can tell you that you already do!

Paul, I too feel sorry for Mrs D. My Wife is Celiac which, unlike a nut allergy is not immediately dangerous. Though, we cannot eat out and know for sure she won't suffer. Ask any kitchen 'what on your menu is gluten / wheat free?' the answer is probably the menu itself! Labels on food even contain messages such as 'made in a factory that uses wheat' or words to that effect (whatever help that is to anyone?). Anyway, I get Walker's point, we rarely eat out, in honesty my Wife will usually always suffer some side effect even if she asks the chef, waiter all the right questions beforehand! I'm off to eat a slice of cake and some nuts now. All the best

On a more serious note, parents of children with severe allergies need to prepare them for life. We had a tragic case a couple of years ago when a student coming up to University for the first time, did not survive her very first day.

I hate to be an "elf & safety" killjoy but a thought has occurred to me. Aside from all the debate as to whether there is any applicable legislation and whether there should be warning labels and signs. What would happen if someone did suffer some ill effect, an allergic reaction, eColi etc? Would there be a civil action? Could be - but would it be worth going against family/friends of ones fellow employees who have come along in all good faith with their homemade goodies? I think not - bad for friendships and no "deep pocket". And where is the deep pocket? The firm or organisation that provides the premises for this event... Has this event been discussed with the Public Liability insurers? Phil

Going right back to the top of the thread, I think that some form of simple ‘nut allergy’ sign is prudent and reasonable, especially as it would cost a few pence and minutes to do. I don’t see it as elf and safety gone mad or anything of a saga; just a very simple precaution that would take minimum effort to achieve. A very good friend of mine has a little boy who has a severe nut allergy. She takes sensible precautions as do I when I take him out or have him over to mine. I also have to make her peanut butter sandwiches, as she doesn’t feel that she can have it in the house! I find myself constantly checking packaging, and find that some is more helpful than others. I never cease to be surprised at the number of items that either contains nuts, or that don’t, but have been made with equipment that has previously been used to make something with nuts etc. In fairness most suppliers, even those at farmers markets, are more than happy to display a sign, and those people whop either suffer from or who are buying for someone who suffers from a severe allergy, generally know what to look for or the questions to ask. You can keep the mice pies, anyone for Baldrick’s Rat Au Vin? Yep, rat, that’s been run over by a van! Big Nick - I reckon someone is operating a sausage roll cartel! Me? Home made, anytime :-)