TOKYO - The number of children with food allergies is increasing in Japan, creating the need for safe eating environments that prevent affected families from becoming isolated.
A survey in fiscal 2022 by the Japan Society of School Health covering public elementary, junior and senior high schools, as well as special needs schools, found 6.3 percent of children had food allergies, up from 2.6 percent in fiscal 2004. The share of children who have experienced anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction, also jumped to 0.62 percent from 0.14 percent.
As someone with a family member who faces the constant risk of anaphylaxis, I cannot view this as someone else's problem. I once thought that, as food allergies among children became more common, restaurants would improve their response to them. But the reality was that eateries and lodging facilities were more likely to refuse to check basic ingredients.
When I recently tried to take lunch at a ski resort restaurant, I was dismayed to find that no staff member responsible for allergen information could be found. Even a restaurant with only one menu item brushed me off, saying, "We don't know the ingredients." It took a long time to find somewhere that would provide appropriate labelling or confirm ingredients.
Even when checking websites of restaurants and hotels, I notice phrases such as "unable to accommodate," "labeling not provided," or "pre-packaged foods may be brought in only for people with allergies."
Situations in which only one child has allergies and must eat packaged food can be difficult for everyone involved. As a result, children with food allergies may avoid group meals altogether, or they may disappoint their friends by suggesting different restaurants or accommodations.
From the perspective of food providers, a growing population with allergies means more time spent on confirmation and higher risk of accidents. Combined with recent labor shortages, it is understandable why more businesses would rather not deal with it if possible.
Although Japan made allergen labeling mandatory for packaged processed foods in 2001, there is still no obligation for restaurants or "middle meals," such as items sold by weight at deli shops, to provide information. If this continues, the exclusion of people with allergies could accelerate.
Overseas studies have shown social isolation of children struggling with allergies, in addition to the burden families face through higher food and medical costs and the time they spend on ingredient checks. There have also been efforts to implement measures because accidental ingestion cases leading to emergency transport and worsening mental health driven by anxiety and isolation can increase medical costs.
In 2014, the European Union made it mandatory for member states to provide information on major allergens in food sold by restaurants and takeout establishments.
In Britain, authorities are considering requiring written information following a fatal incident linked to verbal confirmation. In April this year, an academic society and charity groups that have worked together for more than 20 years released the country's first national allergy strategy, stressing not only safety but also the importance of building an environment that does not exclude specific people from social activities such as travel and dining out.
Japan plans to revise its basic guidelines for allergy disease measures by the end of fiscal 2026. The current situation burdens not only residents but also tourists from overseas, making it urgent to consider mandating allergen labeling for dining out. Since this issue can be life-threatening, society as a whole must work together to create an environment where everyone can enjoy food with peace of mind rather than leaving it to the goodwill of businesses.
Mika Ikemoto, born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1966, is senior research fellow at the Japan Research Institute. She completed a doctoral program at Chiba University's Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities and has held her current post since 2020. She specializes in child and women's policy, and she also serves as a visiting professor at Chiba University.
