Tag: Labelling

New guidance for allergen information

Best practice for providing allergen information

Food Standards Agency (FSA) opens a public consultation into new Best Practice Guidance for the provision of Allergen Information for Non-Prepacked Foods. Current legislation requires food businesses to tell customers if the food they are serving contains any of the 14 notifiable allergens, choosing whether they provide this information in writing or verbally. The FSA… Read more »

Naming vegan alternatives to dairy foods

The challenge of naming plant-based alternatives to dairy foods

In recent years, the rise of vegan diets has increased the variety and availability of plant-based alternatives to dairy products. Consumers now have an array of options; from almond, oat and soy ‘milk’ to vegan ‘cheese’, ‘yogurt’ and ‘cream’. However, UK food producers face significant challenges in naming these products due to stringent regulations prohibiting… Read more »

Beyond the 14 regulated food allergens

mixed fruit, vegetables, seed and bread

Since creating Menu Guide, we’ve encountered an increasingly diverse range of foods that may cause allergic reactions in adults and children. We’ve also found that the list of foods legally classified as allergens may vary by country. In the UK, 14 foods are legally required to be declared as allergens. These are: celery, cereals containing… Read more »

Food allergies and ‘vegan’ labelling

Vegan dishes and food allergies

Is vegan food safe for people with food allergies? Many people choose to eat plant-based foods for a variety of reasons; from ethical concerns to environmental impact. But, for those with food allergies, the seemingly safe haven of vegan-labelled products may not be as secure as it appears. Vegan labelling is not the same as… Read more »

Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL)

PPDS

Best practice guidance on food allergen labelling On 5 September 2023, the Food Standards Agency published updates to their food allergen labelling and information technical guidance. The update supports the Food and Drink Federation‘s guidance on Change Management of Allergen Information. The FSA best practice technical guidance recommends changes in relation to how food businesses… Read more »