"May contain"

Ideally you should avoid cross-contamination. Sometimes this is impossible.

If you think there is a real possibility of allergen inclusion, it is only fair to the consumer to state that the product may include it. The label should say "may contain xxx".

Failure to correctly label your product may result in a product withdrawal or recall, with its associated publicity and expense.

Allergen Labelling

Some people are so sensitive to allergens that minute quantities can trigger allergic reactions.

For pre-packed foods, under the Labelling Directive 2000/13/EC and amended by 2003/89/EC there is a legal duty to declare clearly on the label any allergen included in the ingredients. It may also be indicated separately in an allergy information panel or box. For best practice an allergy panel/box should be associated with the ingredients list and all allergenic foods or ingredients in the food should be included.

For non-pre-packed foods, loose foods, it is best practice to be able to advise customers if allergens are present. FSA guidance and a poster are available.

When advising customers of allergen inclusion in your products, do not guess. It could be fatal.

Allergens and Unsafe Food

Many people have allergies that are serious or even fatal to them. You have a duty to declare certain allergens and to know enough about all of them to warn customers.

"Food shall not be placed on the market, if it is considered to be unsafe"(178/2002/EC art 14).

Unsafe means either injurious to health or unfit.

To some people, certain foods can be harmful. This is called "allergic reaction" and for them that food is injurious to health .

Cross-contamination

In some cases, traces of allergens can get into products through inadvertent cross-contamination.

Advisory labelling should only be used when, following a thorough risk assessment, you think there is a demonstrable and significant risk of allergen cross-contamination. It only applies to pre-packed foods. For all other foods you should be able to verbally advise customers if they ask.

Allergens and allergies

The recent death of a man with nut allergy, after eating a curry highlights the importance of knowing your responsibilities and your products.

Food Solutions aims to keep you up to date with the regulations and help you understand how they apply to your business.

What are the allergens?

Allergens are the foods/chemicals the EC has decided cause allergies and have to be declared to consumers. Some foods such as strawberries, cause allergic reactions but are not yet included in the specified list.

Since November 2005, all pre-packed food sold in the UK must show on the label if it contains one of the 14 agreed allergens as an ingredient. These allergens include:

• peanuts
• eggs
• milk

Peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes.

You could face serious consequences if your information is wrong and someone suffers an allergic reaction from consuming your product.