Sainsbury’s

Here’s how Sainsbury’s can help  

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, choosing suitable foods is now easier with our help:

 

 

If you suspect you have a food allergy or intolerance, it is important you are diagnosed correctly by a doctor and referred to a registered dietitian for expert advice on how to manage your diet to meet all your nutritional needs.

 

What is a food allergy?

Food allergies involve the body’s immune system. The body reacts to certain allergens in food by producing antibodies, which can cause immediate and severe symptoms such as swollen lips or eyes, vomiting, skin hives and, in the most extreme cases, difficulty breathing and a severe fall in blood pressure (anaphylactic shock). Foods that may cause an allergic reaction include nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, wheat and soya.

 

 

What is a food intolerance?

This does not normally involve the immune system, and symptoms may not be as immediate or severe as in food allergies. Symptoms may include headache, fatigue and digestive problems. An example is lactose intolerance, in which certain people cannot digest the sugar in milk. Food intolerance is harder to diagnose than allergy. The only reliable way to diagnose it is to cut out the suspected food from the diet to see if symptoms get better. If symptoms improve, the food should be reintroduced and monitored for signs of the symptoms returning. This process should only take place under the supervision of a registered dietitian.

• The labelling of allergens at Sainsbury's

 

 

It’s now even easier to find food you can enjoy without compromising on flavour, thanks to our new and improved freefrom range.  We now offer even more options for those avoiding wheat, gluten and dairy from their diet – look for its distinctive green and yellow design. 

On the front of our packaging we highlight what each product is free from – always check the ingredients list and the allergy guide box on the back of pack to ensure that the product you've chosen is suitable for you.

 

Here's a selection of what you can find in the Sainsbury's freefrom range:

• Breakfast cereals such as porridge and muesli.
• Bakery items, including white sliced bread, pittas, English muffins, pizza bases,naan,breadcrumbs and bread mix with added fibre.
• Pasta, such as Italian corn penne pasta, Italian corn fusilli pasta, lasagne and spaghetti.
• Cows' milk alternatives such as unsweetened soya drinks and rice drinks.
• Tasty meal ideas, including chicken nuggets, chicken kiev, cod fillet fish fingers, gluten-free burgers and gluten-free pork chipolatas.
• Treats like cakes, biscuits, muffins, brownies and desserts, so you needn’t miss out on anything.

 

• Find out more about the Sainsbury's freefrom range

 

If you have a diagnosed allergy or intolerance, it’s essential you take care to avoid cross-contamination with the allergen.

When you're buying food for someone with a food allergy, you will need to:

• Check the ingredients to ensure the product does not contain the allergen (eg nuts, wheat, gluten) that the person is allergic to.
• Check for other allergy advice on the label.
• Obtain one of our allergen lists to help you shop.

 

• Try making Sainsbury's freefrom recipes

 

 

When you are making or preparing food for a family member of guest who has a food intolerance or allergy you will need to ensure you do the following:

• To avoid cross-contamination, store foods such as nuts, peanuts, flour and milk separately in closed containers.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly and avoid touching other foods until you have finished preparing the meal.
• Wash all cooking equipment thoroughly with hot water and soap. This includes work tops, chopping boards, mixing bowls, pans, cake tins, knives and utensils.
• If you are using oil for cooking, do not use oil that food has previously been cooked in.

 

See our product guides for people with food allergies and food intolerances to identify foods and ingredients that are suitable to buy.

• See our product guides

 

This information is a guide only and should not replace advice given from your healthcare professional.