Next steps of the study

Levels of contribution

1. Tell us what you think through an online survey

2. Navigate through the online platforms and write a short scientific report

3. Shape the design of the study finalising the study's acquisition protocols

4. Place your food order and record several parameters

5. Post the food order to our lab for allergen analysis

6. Help with data organisation and analysis

7. Help with dissemination (video, posters, social media posts)

Please remember that you do not have to contribute to all the levels of the study.

You can go as far as you wish and you can withdraw at any stage without giving an excuse.

Participant's Information

1. What is the purpose of this study?

This study aims to map the procedures and practices of individual food businesses that deliver food online use and determine the allergen status of some of the procured meals through sampling. To achieve this, we wish to understand behaviour of hypersensitive individuals as well as of takeaway restaurants in the UK.

2. Why have I been targeted?

You are invited to this study because you have a food sensitivity, you are 16 years or older, a resident in the UK, and we believe you could provide valuable insights for this project. If you have a passion for citizen science you will be a great fit! Please note that you must have a smartphone to be eligible to take part in the study.

3. Do I have to take part?

No, it is up to you to decide if you want to take part. If you do agree to take part, you can choose not to answer any questions and are free to leave the study at any time, without giving a reason.

4. What will happen to me and my data if I take part?

Initially, you will be invited to participate in an online questionnaire, in which your views regarding food hypersensitivities will be documented. It will take you about 1 hour to fill out the questionnaire. Additionally, you will be invited to complete a second questionnaire after navigating through the online food delivery platforms to report on your experience, including barriers, and enablers regarding the available information on food allergens. This will take you about 10 minutes. Both questionnaires will take place at a time of your convenience. The next stages of the study are optional and you are not required to take part. If you decide to take part, you will have to place an order at a local takeaway restaurant for a ready-to-eat meal, and once you receive the meal post it to our laboratory for allergen analysis. You should not consume the meal but keep evidence instead (such as screenshots of and photos of your order), upload them to the mobile application EpiCollect5, and post your order to our laboratory for allergen analysis. All the answers you will provide in each of the stages of the study will be anonymised and summarised. This research will be conducted in compliance with data protection legislation. For more information about how we look after your information, how to access your rights, and who to contact if you have any queries or concerns about data protection please visit the Queen’s University Belfast website

https://www.qub.ac.uk/privacynotice/Research/ListofResearchPrivacyNotices/PrivacyNoticeforRes earchParticipants.html”

After data analysis, you will be able to create dissemination material to share your stories and experiences while ordering online and coping with a food allergy (such as YouTube videos, posters, and infographics).

Please note that the findings of the study will only be disclosed to the appropriate authorities for all communications. They will then be available publicly in an open-access format. All CS will be acknowledged in project results and respective publications.

5. Will my participation in this study be kept confidential?

Consent forms, survey responses, and any other information you will provide will be securely and separately stored outside of public view. They will not be linked.

Any direct or indirect identifiers relating to you (or other specific people) will be removed from the documents and will not be shared beyond the study team.

Every effort will be made to ensure that the data you provide cannot be traced back to you. If direct quotes are used, these may be attributed to a participant number with a tag which identifies your region/country or group discussion (i.e., Participant 1, EU; Participant 1, group interview 1).

6. What will happen to the results of the study? WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE AND THE GOAL?

The results of the study will be used for reports and possibly publications. You will not be identified in any publication.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE RESULTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INFLUENCE FUTURE LEGISLATION HERE IN THE UK.

THE FSA HAS COMMITtED TO EXAMINE THE RESULTS OF THIS CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT AND TO CONSIDER CHANGES IN THE LEGISLATION RELATED TO FOOD HYPERSENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS.

7. Who is organising and funding the research?

This study has been organised by members of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast. The funding for the study has been received from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

8. Who has reviewed the study?

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences ethics committee, Queen’s University Belfast.

9. Study investigators

Chief investigator: Dr Tassos Koidis, QUB

Investigator: Miss Theano Stoikidou, QUB

Hazel Gowland and Michael Walker are also participating in the study.

10. Contact details for further information:

Dr Tassos Koidis, Lecturer; Miss Theano Stoikidou, Research Assistant

Queen’s University Belfast, Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Room 02.028, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL.

Email: t.koidis@qub.ac.uk; Email: citizen.science@qub.ac.uk

How we are communicating with you?

The project is using Mailchimp to send group emails about progress and other updates. The email will have links to MS Forms where surveys are hosted. File transfer (photographs, receipts) will done via email. This related to level 4-5 of our study.