Translation factors eIF4E and eIF4G form eIF4F, which binds to mRNAs to promote ribosome recruitment and translation initiation. We were interested in analysing the effects of stresses on eIF4F interactions with individual mRNAs. We used a RIP-seq approach to assess how mRNA associations with eIF4E, eIF4G1 and eIF4G2 change in response to three stresses: 1) addition of hydrogen peroxide 2) amino acids withdrawal and, 3) glucose withdrawal. We find that acute stress leads to changes in eIF4F–mRNA interactions that are shared among each factor and across the stresses imposed.