Many families are being forced to seek treatment abroad, Oireachtas committee hearsParents must be constantly vigilant and ready to administer emergency treatment such as an EpiPen. Stock imageCork-based former ‘Hollyoaks’ actor Ali Bastian with her daughter Isla, who has multiple food allergiesParents of children with life-­threatening food allergies have said they feel “forgotten”, suffering delayed diagnosis and being forced to go abroad for treatment. Eating out, holidays and everyday childhood experiences carry significant risk and demand careful planning.”Around 160,000 people, 1-2pc of adults and 5-6pc of children, live with food allergies. Parents must be constantly vigilant and ready to administer emergency treatment such as an EpiPen. Cork-based former ‘Hollyoaks’ actor Ali Bastian with her daughter Isla, who has multiple food allergiesMs Bastion, who now lives in west Cork, has a five-year-old daughter, Isla, who has multiple severe food allergies.

Source: Irish Independent March 20, 2026 13:39 UTC