PRIORITY business intelligence

There is evidence that the number of people who have adverse reactions to foods such as cows' milk, tree nuts, and peanuts is increasing. People with food allergies, and people shopping for them, need clear labelling of both the use of allergenic ingredients and identification of possible cross-contamination with allergens, in order to make informed food choices. Unlike the situation for deliberate ingredients, there are currently no statutory controls governing the labelling of possible allergen cross-contamination of foods along the food supply chain.

There is general agreement between the food industry, consumer support groups and enforcement bodies, that excessive use of warning labels about the possible presence of allergens not only unnecessarily restricts consumer choice but also devalues the impact of the warnings.

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued its Guidance on Allergen Control and Consumer Information. The document gives best practice on the control of food allergens/gluten with particular reference to avoiding cross-contamination and using appropriate advisory labelling e.g. may contain.

The Guidance provides voluntary best practice advice to food producers and retailers on how to assess the risks of cross-contamination of a food product with an allergenic food or food ingredient and then to determine whether advisory labelling is appropriate. It is intended to give a generic overview of the approach to take in controlling allergens and providing advisory labelling and is aimed primarily at small and medium enterprises (SMEs).