The Food Standards Agency has today published a nationwide snap-shot survey on a cross-section of pre-packed processed foods both with and without allergen advisory labelling.
The survey aimed to provide an improved understanding of the type of allergen advisory labelling used on pre-packed processed foods in the UK and whether the labelling was related to the level of allergen present as a result of cross-contamination.
The survey examined the level of milk, gluten, peanut and hazelnut in products that were labelled with phrases including 'may contain X' or 'not suitable for someone with X allergy.' It also sampled products without this type of advisory labelling. In total, the survey sampled 1,016 samples across 12 different product categories.
FSA Food Allergy Research Manager, Sarah Hardy, said: 'Results from the survey suggest that cross contamination for all four allergens, is well controlled by manufacturers. In fact, undeclared allergen cross-contamination in the UK is lower than found in other countries.
'However, manufacturers need to regularly review their risk assessment and the application of precautionary allergen labelling to ensure that people with allergies are protected without unnecessarily restricting choice. We recommend that consumers should continue to recognise the importance of precautionary allergen labelling and should not put themselves at risk by ignoring it.
'The number of samples with advisory labelling but no detectable hazelnut or peanut was just below 50%. Only gluten and milk were present as cross-contamination without advisory labelling. However, the levels found in the products were low so the FSA did not consider it to be a risk for people with allergies.'
A wide variety of different statements were used across the product categories. The most frequently used advisory label was 'may contain traces' in 38% of products. While the survey found a wide variety of allergen advisory labelling, only 28% of products followed FSA advice in the use of specific phraseology that advises using 'may contain X' or 'not suitable for someone with an X allergy.' These two statements were found on 20.6% and 7.2% of products, respectively.
Full survey report Survey of allergen labelling and allergen content of processed foods The survey examined the type of allergen advisory labelling present on pre-packed processed foods sold in the UK, and aimed to quantify the level of allergens resulting from cross-contamination and establish whether the type of advisory labelling used related to the level of allergen present.
The survey aimed to provide an improved understanding of the type of allergen advisory labelling used on pre-packed processed foods in the UK and whether the labelling was related to the level of allergen present as a result of cross-contamination.
The survey examined the level of milk, gluten, peanut and hazelnut in products that were labelled with phrases including 'may contain X' or 'not suitable for someone with X allergy.' It also sampled products without this type of advisory labelling. In total, the survey sampled 1,016 samples across 12 different product categories.
FSA Food Allergy Research Manager, Sarah Hardy, said: 'Results from the survey suggest that cross contamination for all four allergens, is well controlled by manufacturers. In fact, undeclared allergen cross-contamination in the UK is lower than found in other countries.
'However, manufacturers need to regularly review their risk assessment and the application of precautionary allergen labelling to ensure that people with allergies are protected without unnecessarily restricting choice. We recommend that consumers should continue to recognise the importance of precautionary allergen labelling and should not put themselves at risk by ignoring it.
'The number of samples with advisory labelling but no detectable hazelnut or peanut was just below 50%. Only gluten and milk were present as cross-contamination without advisory labelling. However, the levels found in the products were low so the FSA did not consider it to be a risk for people with allergies.'
A wide variety of different statements were used across the product categories. The most frequently used advisory label was 'may contain traces' in 38% of products. While the survey found a wide variety of allergen advisory labelling, only 28% of products followed FSA advice in the use of specific phraseology that advises using 'may contain X' or 'not suitable for someone with an X allergy.' These two statements were found on 20.6% and 7.2% of products, respectively.
Full survey report Survey of allergen labelling and allergen content of processed foods The survey examined the type of allergen advisory labelling present on pre-packed processed foods sold in the UK, and aimed to quantify the level of allergens resulting from cross-contamination and establish whether the type of advisory labelling used related to the level of allergen present.
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