Proposals to overhaul allergen labelling laws and give
consumers clearer information on the food they buy have
been unveiled by Environment Secretary .
Subject to a consultation launched today, food outlets
selling pre-packaged food directly for sale could be
required to follow new rules designed to give the UK’s two
million food allergy sufferers greater confidence in the
safety of their food.
Under current rules, food prepared on the premise in which
it is sold is not required to display allergen information
on the package – but the proposed rules could go as far as
seeing full ingredients labelling required by law.
The moves follow the tragic death of Natasha
Ednan-Laperouse, the teenager who died after suffering an
allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger baguette.
Environment Secretary said:
Natasha’s parents have suffered a terrible loss, and I
want to pay tribute to Nadim and Tanya for their
inspirational work to deliver Natasha’s law.
We want to ensure that labels are clearer and that the
rules for businesses are more consistent – so that
allergy sufferers in this country can have confidence in
the safety of their food.
Many businesses are already bringing changes on board
independently, and in the meantime they should continue
doing all they can to give consumers the information they
need.
The proposed reforms cover labelling requirements for foods
that are packed on the same premises from which they are
sold – such as a packaged sandwich or salad made by staff
earlier in the day and placed on a shelf for purchase.
Currently, these foods are not required to carry labels,
and information on allergens can be given in person by the
food business if asked by the consumer.
Food businesses and allergy sufferers are being invited to
have their say on four options put forward to improve the
way allergy information is provided for these foods,
including:
- mandating full ingredient list labelling
- mandating allergen-only labelling on food packaging
- mandating ‘ask the staff’ labels on all products, with
supporting information for consumers available in writing
- promoting best practice around communicating allergen
information to consumers
Food Standards Agency Chairman Heather Hancock said:
It’s essential for those of us with a food allergy or
intolerance to know that we can trust the food we eat.
Accurate and reliable labelling is vital, and this
consultation is firmly aimed at improving the confidence
we have in it.
In recent years choice, trust and availability has really
improved for people with food allergy. We want those
improvements to continue, so it’s important that we hear
from everyone affected, as part of this consultation.
We’re determined to keep on making life better for you.
CEO of Allergy UK, Carla
Jones, said:
We welcome this announcement and the commitment shown by
the Environment Secretary on this issue. At Allergy UK we
believe that whilst those living with allergies must be
vigilant on their own behalf, the broader food industry
needs to do more than just the bare minimum when it comes
to catering for the allergic community. We encourage all
those living with allergies to engage with this
consultation to ensure their views on this important
issue are heard.
The Environment Secretary and Food Minister met allergen
groups and retailers late last year to discuss the
proposed options around allergen labelling laws.
The Environment Secretary has also met the parents of
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse to discuss their campaign for a
change in food labelling laws.
A number of food businesses have already begun to implement
changes to their provision of allergen information and
the Food Standards
Agency will continue to provide food businesses
with guidance on allergens. In September the FSA launched
Easy to Ask, a campaign to empower young people to ask food
businesses about allergens when eating out so they can make
safe food choices.
The consultation can be responded to on
Defra’s gov.uk page.
