The Food and Drink Federation has recently released comprehensive guidance to assist food and drink companies of all sizes in effectively managing changes that can impact allergen labelling on pre-packaged products. This guidance, titled “Guidance on Change Management of Allergen Information”, provides valuable insights and best practices, including enhanced consumer communications and the significance of sharing information throughout the supply chain.
Developed in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), this guidance is specifically designed to support the approximately two million individuals in the UK who have a food allergy and heavily rely on food labels to make informed choices. It outlines critical steps that must be incorporated into food safety management procedures, acknowledging the essential nature of managing allergens and conducting thorough risk assessments.
Olayemi Fashesin-Souza, the regulatory manager at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), emphasizes the importance of food businesses understanding their supply chains and processes to fully comprehend the impact that changes can have on the allergen profile of pre-packaged foods. Fashesin-Souza states, “Having safe and clearly labelled food is crucial for consumers with a food hypersensitivity. Our guidance offers practical and actionable advice, promoting better practices and understanding across the entire food supply chain.”
The chair of the Food Standards Agency, Susan Jebb OBE, warmly welcomes the new allergen labelling guidance from the FDF, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to protecting individuals with food hypersensitivity. Jebb states, “It is vital that businesses accurately and consistently apply allergen labels, as more than two million people in the UK are affected by food hypersensitivity. This guidance provides essential advice on the application of precautionary allergen labels (‘may contain’ labels) and offers valuable recommendations to ensure customers are aware of any changes in the allergen profile of a food.”
Simon Williams, the chief executive of Anaphylaxis UK, regards the new guidance as a significant step forward in ensuring the safety of individuals with allergies. Williams appreciates the guidance’s emphasis on utilizing only essential allergenic ingredients and promoting clear, immediate communication about any changes in allergen information. He also commends the importance placed on information sharing throughout the entire supply chain, facilitating awareness of any alterations in allergen information. This guidance is seen as a milestone in the ongoing efforts to safeguard the well-being of individuals with allergies.
The guidance has been developed in collaboration with experts from across the FDF membership, aiming to enhance understanding across the broader food industry. It complements the recently updated Food Standards Agency Technical Guidance on Food Allergen Labelling and Information Requirements, as well as FDF’s previously issued regulatory guidance on ‘Allergen’-Free and Vegan Claims and Gluten Labelling.
Overall, this guidance serves as an essential resource for food and drink businesses, offering clear and practical recommendations to effectively manage allergen labelling on pre-packaged products. By adopting the strategies outlined in the guidance, companies can uphold the highest standards of safety and transparency, meeting the needs of consumers with food allergies and hypersensitivities.
