An Adelaide café is the first in Australia to install an EpiPen station for diners with allergies.

The EpiPen station has been installed at the Little Fig Café in Melrose Park and can be used if a diner suffers an anaphylaxis attack.

Allergy support organisation, Global Anaphylaxis and Inclusivity (globalaai) helped establish the EpiPen station at the café.

Owner of Little Fig Café, Hayley Ryan, said she was motivated to install the EpiPen station after her sister-in-law was diagnosed with a sesame allergy.

“Having a diner suffer from an anaphylaxis attack is every café and restaurant owner’s worst nightmare,” Ryan said.

“There are so many food items that people can become allergic to and many of these are not obvious, for example capsicum and onion allergies.

“I’m committed to providing the safest possible environment for my customers and having a globalaai EpiPen station helps me to achieve this.”

According to globalaai, up to 20 per cent of the population suffer from allergies.

globalaai was founded by South Australian, Dr Pooja Newman, after she nearly died when suffering a anaphylaxis attack at a concert.

“Dining out is a stressful experience for people with allergies,” Dr Newman said.

“For some, all it takes is one bite to suffer a life-threatening reaction.

“In this situation the availability of a publicly-accessible EpiPen station can quite literally save a life.

“It is globalaai’s vision to see EpiPen stations installed in food outlets, event venues, shopping centres, schools, childcare centres, accommodation and healthcare facilities across Australia.”

Related articles

• Allergy training course launched for food service industry
• Australian children are growing out of food allergies
• Microbiota in young children connected to overcoming milk allergy

Share