With hayfever season fast approaching and searches for “pollen count” hitting an average of 33K a month, it’s clear that allergies are a growing concern for many households. Food allergies can turn even the simplest meal prep into a challenge, with common triggers like nuts, dairy, gluten, and shellfish lurking in everyday ingredients. However, kitchens can also be full of hidden triggers like airborne pollen, dust buildup, and even certain cleaning products.

So how do you create a kitchen that’s both functional and allergy-friendly? Wren Kitchen’s Paul Richardson and Dr. Sham Singh3 share expert tips on everything from cross-contamination prevention to smart storage solutions, helping you transform your kitchen into a safer space for allergy sufferers.

Food organisation can help prevent mistakes

If you or someone in your home has a food allergy, a little organisation can go a long way in keeping meals safe. Storing food properly and separately is the first step in creating an allergy safe kitchen. “Allergy-safe foods should be stored in sealed containers and on higher shelves in the fridge or pantry away from allergenic foods,” says Dr. Sham Singh.

Having dedicated drawers for allergy-free items can make a big difference, “Labelling containers clearly can help prevent mistakes, especially in households with multiple dietary needs.” If you have space in your kitchen, a well organised pantry or larder cupboard can be a game changer when allergy-proofing your kitchen. Paul adds “Not only can you keep allergy free foods separate, reducing the risk of cross-contamination, a pantry also gives you extra storage space, making it easier to stock up on safe alternatives without cluttering your main kitchen areas.”

Colour code to avoid cross contamination

Cross-contamination is sneakier than you’d expect, it happens when allergens transfer from one surface, utensil, or ingredient to another. That means your go-to cutting board, an unwashed countertop, or even airborne particles from sifting flour could pose a risk.

So, what’s the best way to keep your kitchen safe? Dr. Sham suggests a few simple swaps: “Keep separate kitchen tools for allergen-free cooking, use dedicated sponges and dish towels, and always wash your hands between handling different foods.” He also recommends “Colour-coding utensils or adding labels, especially in households if some family members eat allergens while others need to steer clear.” A little extra caution goes a long way in keeping mealtime stress free.

Cleaning with DIY solutions

If you or someone in your household has food allergies, keeping your kitchen truly clean goes beyond a quick wipe-down. Washing surfaces and utensils with hot soapy water and separate sponges for allergen free dishes is the most effective way to remove allergens. Dr. Sham also advises “Wipe down counters with bleach solution or vinegar/baking soda solutions to eliminate residue without using harsh chemicals. Steam clean kitchen surfaces especially in hard-to-reach areas and don’t forget about cleaning kitchen appliances like toasters and blenders.”

Avoid wooden cutting boards

When it comes to kitchen tools, wooden cutting boards and cast-iron cookware can actually absorb allergens, “For severe allergies, using plastic cutting boards is safer as they are non-porous and easier to clean. Non-stick pans can hold onto allergen residues so stainless steel or ceramic cookware is better” adds Dr. Sham Singh.

Non-food allergy prevention

Allergies aren’t just about food, pollen and mould can sneak into your kitchen too. If you suffer from hayfever, Dr. Sham Singh advises to “avoid having high-pollen flowers like daisies, sunflowers, chamomile, and lilies in your kitchen” that can make symptoms worse. Instead, “go for low-pollen flowers like orchids, roses, or tulips” to keep things fresh without the sneezing. Be mindful of houseplants too, “ferns and certain grasses can harbour mould spores”, which can trigger allergies.

During peak pollen season, “opening windows can let allergens in and onto surfaces and food”, so stick to air conditioning or fans with high-efficiency filters or pop an air purifier in the kitchen. “Open windows during lower pollen times, like late evening or after rain”, advises Dr. Sham Singh and “wipe down windowsills regularly” to keep pollen from piling up.

With a few simple swaps, you can keep your kitchen allergen-free and still full of life and greenery.

Create allergen-free zones

Designing an allergy-safe kitchen is easier than you think. In restaurants, strict protocols like allergen-free zones, separate cookware, and ingredient labelling keep diners safe, and you can do the same at home with a few simple tweaks. Dr. Sham suggests “Start by designating allergen-free zones, a specific area of your counter or a separate shelf in the fridge and pantry just for allergy-friendly foods.”

Paul suggests keeping your allergen-free zone on the opposite side of the kitchen from where you prep allergen-heavy foods, and near the sink, making cleanup a breeze. Paul stresses “to remove any allergens that can easily float into open spaces, ensure powerful ventilation over or beside cooking areas, and/or opt for hob based extraction to reduce airborne food particles.”

If you don’t have surface space to dedicate to allergy free food preparation, Paul adds “Choose non-porous, easy-to-clean worktop materials like quartz, high quality laminate or granite. Avoid cooking near grout lines where possible, as they can trap food particles, alternative seamless splashbacks and wall coverings like tek walls or glass are a great, easy to clean alternative to tiles.