The number of food recalls recorded by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) were up 78% in 2015 compared with the previous year. These were largely a result of unlisted allergens and ingredients claimed Dr Lisa Ackerley, a special adviser to risk and compliance specialist Acoura.

“Allergen labelling is a complete muddle and needs addressing urgently,” said Ackerley. “With prison sentences and huge fines potentially being meted out by the courts when misplaced allergens cause customer harm, increasingly there is concern that food suppliers and manufacturers are using precautionary labelling as a catch-all to protect themselves in case of accidental contamination of their products from allergens.”

Unreliable and inconsistent

For manufacturers and retailers, deciding when and how to use what is termed “precautionary labelling” should be based on a risk assessment, and not used without careful consideration, warned Ackerley. The problem at the moment is that the wording used has often been found to be unreliable and inconsistent, according to a white paper issued by The Institute for Food Safety Integrity and Protection (TiFSiP).

 

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Food Labelling Services Comments:

This does not come as a complete surprise. With the change in the way in which allergens have to be declared in December 2014, as stated in the Food Information Regulations, there is a higher risk of allergens being missed or not declared. Food Business Operators should complete a risk assessment before deciding which allergens could pose a risk to their business, and warrant a 'may contains' statement. The BRC has issued a useful guide on 'Free From' allergen claims, which should be consulted before making such a claim. For further advice on how to declare allergens, please contact us.