Managing allergens from a food retailer perspective including an update on allergen labelling regulation. Issue 4 (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watson, R.
• Is Part Of: Nutrition bulletin. Volume 38:Issue 4(2013)
• Page Start: 405
• Page End: 409
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: allergen labelling -- consumer -- food allergy -- food intolerance -- food manufacturing -- food retailer; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1111/nbu.12060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-9827

Abstract

Summary: Food allergy presents a unique food safety issue, as while allergy affects a relatively small proportion of the UK population, consuming foods containing even minute quantities of a food allergen can have very serious consequences. New European Union (EU) legislation [Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers], with which manufacturers and retailers have until December 2014 to comply, requires allergens to be highlighted in the ingredients list on all pre‐packed food, rather than within an allergy box or statement. Allergy boxes and statements may still be used to signpost consumers to the allergen information within the ingredients list and to highlight cross‐contamination risk. These changes in allergen labelling must be effectively and consistently communicated so that allergy information is not overlooked by consumers. There is ongoing research to develop allergen thresholds or 'no adverse effect levels' for use in food safety risk assessment, with a view to reducing the number of 'may contain' allergen warnings on food packaging. This would be welcomed by UK consumers who have been found to find this type of allergen labelling frustrating, owing to its widespread use and ambiguity in meaning. However, more robust data are required before allergen thresholds can be widely implemented in food production. Sainsbury's has a 20 × 20 sustainability commitment to be the number 1 retailer in the UK for customers with allergies and intolerances. One way in which Sainsbury's aims to deliver on this pledge is by removing unnecessary and unexpected allergens from own brand food and by removing unnecessary cross‐contamination warnings ( i.e. unnecessary 'may contain' type labelling). Sainsbury's also recognises that retailers and manufacturers have a responsibility to reliably inform consumers of the nature and composition of their food, as well as having appropriate allergen management strategies and policies in place, as consumers rely heavily on retailers and manufacturers to provide safe, accurate labelling so that they can effectively manage the allergens in the foods they purchase.