Allergen Labelling - The new requirements - Red Box Consultancy Services

Allergen Labelling - The new requirements

Sep 29, 2020 editor

We are never far away from a news story highlighting the importance of managing allergen requirements for customers, whatever the sector.

Food business operators in the retail and catering sector are required to provide allergen information and follow labelling rules as set out in law

This means that food business operators must:

provide allergen information to the consumer for both prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink
handle and manage food allergens effectively in food preparation.

Food businesses must make sure that staff receive training on allergens.

Currently, allergen information can be provided in the same way for pre packed as for non-prepacked (loose) foods.

From October 2021, the way food businesses must provide allergen labelling information for Prepacked for Direct Sale (PPDS) will change. Foods will need to have a label with a full ingredients list with allergenic ingredients emphasised within it.

These changes will provide essential information to help people with a food allergy or intolerance make safe food choices.

According to UK Hospitality, 20% of businesses felt their current business practices are insufficient. 80% believed their current systems wont be able to comply with new regulations. The Food Standards agency has free online food allergy training and managers can also access an allergen checklist with staff for tips on food allergy best-practice.

FSA technical guidance provides a detailed explanation of the labelling requirements for each food type.

Prepacked products refer to any food put into packaging before being placed on sale. Prepacked food must have an ingredients list present on the packaging. Allergens present in the product must be emphasised each time they appear in the ingredients list. Food is prepacked when it:

is either fully or partly enclosed by the packaging
cannot be altered without opening or changing the packaging
is ready for sale.

Prepacked for direct sale products are foods that have been packed on the same premises from which they are being sold.

Common foods that can fall into this category include sandwiches, salads and pies made and sold from the premises in which they are made. It is expected that the customer is able to speak with the person who made or packed the product to ask about ingredients.

If you provide non-prepacked foods, you must supply allergen information for every item that contains any of the 14 allergens.

Apart from the possibility of making a customer seriously ill, you could also face the risk of financial and reputational damage to your food business if you fail to comply with allergen information requirements. Local authorities enforce allergen information regulations. Failure to comply can result in action from the local authority.

Red Box can offer support to implement robust allergen policies within your food safety documentation. We can also support with certificated courses covering Allergen Awareness. For more information or advice contact Red Box Consultancy Services Ltd. Tel: 01423 810985 email: admin@redboxcs.com

THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (BIFM)- Founded in 1993, BIFM is a professional body for facilities management, both individuals and organisations.
FIRST POINT ASSESSMENT (FPAL)- Is a supplier management community supporting the European oil and gas industry.
THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (CIEH)- A charity that is the professional and leading voice for environmental and public health and safety.
INSTITUTE OF HOSPITALITY- A professional membership group that provides support and information for those who work or study in the hospitality and tourism industries.
FOOD STANDARD AGENCY (FSA)- The governmental department responsible for food safety and hygiene throughout the UK.
THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION (TUCO)- TUCO is a professional membership group for in-house caterers within the higher education sector, and is one of the leading organisations of its kind in the UK.
BRITISH HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION (BHA)- An agenda-setter and members organisation for the hospitality and tourism industry that helps to promote the interest of operators, brands and owners across the hospitality and tourism sectors.
ROYAL SOCIETY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH (RSPH)- An independent and multi-disciplinary charity who’s mission is to improve public health and wellbeing.
INTERNATIONAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (IFMA)- An international association for facilities management professionals, supporting 24,000 members in 105 countries.

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