Research published in August 2022 by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) provided updated statistics on food allergies, intolerances and other hypersensitivities. The bi-annual Food and You 2 online survey, conducted by Ipsos, measures self-reported knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to various issues including food safety and security, sustainability and diets. A total of 5,796 adults… Read more »
Between 6 December 2021 and 14 March 2022, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) conducted a public consultation on the provision of precautionary allergen labelling (known as PAL) and precautionary allergen information (PAI), such as ‘may contain’ on many types of food sold in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Currently, labelling legislation requires that food products… Read more »
Legal requirements for UK food businesses If you run a food business in the UK, you must comply with the relevant legislation. Here’s a quick recap and the most recent developments to bring you up to date: 6 April 2022 – Mandatory calorie labelling on menus A new requirement for large food businesses (with more… Read more »
From 6 April 2022, large food businesses (with more than 250 employees) in England have been required to display the calorie information of non-prepacked food and soft drink items. Calorie information must be shown at the point of choice for the customer, which may be a printed or online menu, food delivery platform or label…. Read more »
How to comply with ‘Natasha’s Law’ If you run a food business you must comply with all the relevant legislation, including The UK Food Information Amendment, which came into effect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 1 October 2021. This amendment, known as ‘Natasha’s Law‘ has been introduced by the UK Government following the… Read more »
Menu Guide is in a Primary Authority Partnership with Milton Keynes Council. This means that, following a comprehensive review, the Menu Guide website has received assured Primary Authority Advice in relation to relevant legislation, namely the Retained EU Law EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation (No.1169/2011) and the Food Information Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1855). What… Read more »
During the coronavirus pandemic, many food businesses started offering takeaway and delivery for the first time. While lockdown restrictions prevented cafes, pubs and restaurants from providing their usual table service, they looked for new ways to keep trading and to meet increasing consumer demand for ‘click and collect’ and home delivery. Which is where Menu… Read more »
1.5 million people in the UK have a food allergy or intolerance. Around 10 people each year die from eating something that they are allergic to and many more become severely ill. Food allergies are a major food safety issue and quite rightly command a great deal of attention from the media and the Food… Read more »
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) “It’s #easytoASK about allergens”. But how easy is it? And who should be asking? The #easytoASK campaign The FSA is, in their own words, ‘encouraging food businesses to make it easier for their customers to ask for allergen information when taking orders or reservations.’ Their #easytoASK campaign, launched… Read more »
A scientific study has again raised the question of whether restaurant menus should have to show the calorie content of dishes. The CEDAR study Researchers from The Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR) at Cambridge University analysed data from the 100 most popular UK restaurant chains by sales in 2013. They sourced nutritional information on… Read more »
Food and You – FSA Consumer Survey
Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL)
Food allergens and the law
Mandatory calorie labelling on menus
Natasha’s Law