The Food Standards Agency recognises that the use of natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves in the food industry may pose a risk to individuals with a latex allergy, with reactions ranging from mild irritation to, in rare cases, severe allergic responses. Under United Kingdom food hygiene legislation, there is no requirement to use latex gloves, and businesses must implement a food safety management system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles, including assessing any risks associated with protective equipment. In addition, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require employers to assess and, where reasonably practicable, replace hazardous substances such as latex with safer alternatives. In practice, many food businesses use non-latex gloves, such as nitrile or vinyl, alongside good hand hygiene, to effectively control both food safety and occupational health risks.

The Health and Safety Executive has recognised the risks to workers who suffer from NRL allergies and have produced a specific guidance page on their website which covers both the background to NRL allergies and the precautions to be taken by employers where they have employees who may be affected. There is specific guidance on latex gloves and the considerations to be taken by employers when selecting appropriate gloves. The guidance page is available at the following link:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/employ/latex.htm

The Terms of Reference for the Expert Advisory Group on Allergy, which is overseen and supported by external stakeholders, states that the meetings are confidential. Therefore, the meeting minutes are not shared publicly.

The Food Standards Agency works with businesses and consumers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to improve allergen management and information, including offering free training and running awareness campaigns. It has recently published new guidance to help people with allergies eat out safely. The guidance sets out how businesses can provide clear allergen information, encourage communication about allergens between staff and consumers, and ensure that a consumer with allergies receives the right meal.

We would also encourage passengers travelling with a severe allergy to carry their medication with them in case of emergency, and it is recommended that they notify staff throughout their journey of their allergy. Guidance on travelling with an allergy is available from organisations such as Anaphylaxis UK or from the NHS.

The Department is working closely with a range of stakeholders across the Government, the National Health Service, voluntary organisations, and patient representative groups to consider how allergy care and support could be improved.

The Expert Advisory Group on Allergy met most recently on 3 December and continues to bring together key stakeholders to inform policymaking and identify priorities in relation to the holistic care of people with allergies.

In terms of the use of gloves for medical purposes, the NHS purchases examination and surgical gloves through NHS Supply Chain’s two national frameworks and, ultimately, it is the choice of NHS trusts which gloves they wish to procure. Regarding examination gloves, latex was once the most commonly used glove, but nitrile, latex-free, gloves are now the most common choice. There are also ‘specialist examination gloves’ available, which aim to provide a reduction in allergy irritation.

Surgical glove purchase decisions are generally more clinically lead, and the choice of manufacturer and glove is usually made by the surgeon or consultant. There are latex and latex-free options available via the Surgical Glove Framework.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are not made with natural rubber latex. However the presence or traces of natural rubber latex in the product as delivered to the end-user cannot be excluded completely due to the potential to come into contact with latex during transportation or handling processes. We are currently reviewing all aspects of PCR testing in light of this potential risk.

We are not currently distributing any latex gloves as the majority of National Health Service trusts have a non-latex policy.

The lateral flow device test kits in use are latex free and are suitable for those with latex allergies.

We are not currently distributing any latex gloves as the majority of National Health Service trusts have a non-latex policy.

The lateral flow device test kits in use are latex free and are suitable for those with latex allergies.

Anyone who has ever had a serious allergic reaction should tell their healthcare professional before they are vaccinated. Serious allergic reactions are rare. If people do have a reaction to the vaccine, it usually happens in minutes. Staff giving the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and all locations providing vaccinations are required to have anaphylaxis packs on-site, allowed staff to treat them immediately.

As with other vaccination programmes and advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), gloves are not recommended when administering a vaccine unless persons administering vaccinations have open lesions on their hands or are likely to encounter a patient’s body fluids. Plastic syringes do not contain latex and nor do needles.

Anaphylaxis packs are a requirement in all locations providing vaccination. Neither plastic syringes or needles contain latex.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued general advice on its website in relation to latex reactions (allergies) and medical devices, which can be found at the following address:

www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Generalsafety informationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice-G-L/Latexre actions(allergies)andmedicaldevices/index.htm

The National Patient Safety Agency published advice in May 2005 which can be found at the following address:

www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59791

Information on the number of people in Surrey and England who have latex allergies is not held centrally.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued general advice on its website in relation to latex reactions (allergies) and medical devices, which can be found at the following address:

www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Generalsafety informationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice/Product-specificinformationandadvice-G-L/Latexre actions(allergies)andmedicaldevices/index.htm

The National Patient Safety Agency published advice in May 2005 which can be found at the following address:

www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59791

Information on the number of people in Surrey and England who have latex allergies is not held centrally.