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Food businesses: are you prepared for changes to food allergen information?

12 December 2014

Rochford District Council is reminding food business in the District that they need to be ready for new rules which will affect the way they provide allergen information.

Currently, when supermarket bakeries, delicatessens, cafes and restaurants sell loose foods, they don’t have to provide information to customers about food allergens, but from 13 December 2014 all food businesses will need to verbally explain or signpost allergenic information for the food they sell or provide.

Food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions and the numbers of people with this condition are growing.

The primary cause of food allergy deaths in the UK is due to allergic reactions when food is consumed outside the home where allergenic ingredients have not been declared. The new rules will mean that all food businesses will need to inform customers if any of 14 allergenic ingredients are present in the food they make or serve. This can be done in writing on menus, verbally through explanations by staff or signposted to where or how more information can be found.

What are your responsibilities as a food business?

• Make sure the information you provide is accurate

• Keep up to date ingredients information for any ready-made foods bought in

• When cooking, make sure you know what’s in the ingredients o consider cooking oils, dressings, toppings, sauces and garnishes, update this if you change the recipe or ingredients used

• Ensure your staff know of any changes to allergen information for the dishes provided.

• When making food for someone with an allergy, work surfaces and equipment must be thoroughly cleaned before use.

• Always wash your hands before preparing any food.

Although the new EU rules are coming into force on 13 December 2014, they were published in October 2011, to give food businesses three years to get ready for the new provisions.

Local authorities will be working together with the FSA to make sure businesses know what to do and how to provide safe food for those with food allergies and intolerances. To help enforcement officers and businesses with these new rules, the FSA has developed a range of training and education materials. Advice is available at www.food.gov.uk/allergy and resources can be found on www.food.gov.uk/allergen-resources

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New Food Allergen Information

14 November 2014 (Original Article)

Food businesses: are you prepared for changes to food allergen information?

Rochford District Council is reminding food business in the District that they need to be ready for new rules which will affect the way they provide allergen information.

Currently, when supermarket bakeries, delicatessens, cafes and restaurants sell loose foods, they don’t have to provide information to customers about food allergens, but from 13 December 2014 all food businesses will need to verbally explain or signpost allergenic information for the food they sell or provide.

Food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions and the numbers of people with this condition are growing.

The primary cause of food allergy deaths in the UK is due to allergic reactions when food is consumed outside the home where allergenic ingredients have not been declared. The new rules will mean that all food businesses will need to inform customers if any of 14 allergenic ingredients are present in the food they make or serve. This can be done in writing on menus, verbally through explanations by staff or signposted to where or how more information can be found.

Although the new EU rules are coming into force in December 2014, they were published in October 2011, to give food businesses three years to get ready for the new provisions.

Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Councillor Keith Gordon said:  ‘All food businesses in the Rochford District should be ready to provide this vital information by December. We understand food businesses work long hours, leaving little time to read through new guidance. However, easy-to-understand information is available at www.rochford.gov.uk  to help businesses with these changes. ‘Businesses could be missing out on vital custom by not providing clear and accurate allergen information about the food they sell or serve. If any business needs advice and guidance on the new rules, they can get in touch with our food safety officer for help.’

Dr Chun-Han Chan from the Food Standards Agency said: ‘Food allergies affect approximately 5-8% of children and 1-2% of adults. This means that around 2 million people in the UK are living with a food allergy. People with food allergies can react to very small amounts of food, such as a teaspoon of yoghurt, a single peanut or even an egg glaze used to brush over pies. ‘There is no cure for food allergies, so the only way for people to manage the condition is to avoid the food that makes them ill. This is where providing accurate food allergen labelling and information is important, and why food businesses, local authorities and the Food Standards Agency are all working together to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information.’

Local authorities will be working together with the FSA to make sure businesses know what to do and how to provide safe food for those with food allergies and intolerances. To help enforcement officers and businesses with these new rules, the FSA has developed a range of training and education materials. Advice is available at www.food.gov.uk/allergy and resources can be found on www.food.gov.uk/allergen-resources

Additional information

1. Food allergy involves the immune system. A reaction can occur within minutes following consumption of a food, symptoms include itching, pain, diarrhoea and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

2. Food intolerance does not involve the immune system and a reaction can occur within hours consumption of the food, symptoms can include eczema, bloating, diarrhoea, weight loss. Symptoms can remain with the individual for hours or days.

3. In the UK, it is estimated that 1-2% of adults and 5-8% of children have a food allergy. This equates to around 2 million people living in the UK with a food allergy and this figure does not include those with food intolerances. This means the actual number of affected people living with food allergy and/or food intolerance is considerably more.

4. The FSA has produced resources that you can find here: food.gov.uk/allergen-resources

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