The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a consultation to help develop a consistent approach to allergen labelling in the out-of-home sector.
The consultation is said to come after extensive engagement with consumers, local authorities and industry, along with evidence from research to better understand how foodservice operators could improve written information for consumers with a food hypersensitivity.
In current law, businesses including bakery cafés and coffee shops are required to tell customers if the food they are serving contains any of the 14 mandatory allergens, but can choose how they provide this information – either in writing, such as on menus or chalkboards, or verbally.
New advice from the FSA repeats its previous proposal that written allergen information should be mandatory in the non-prepacked sector, as it is for pre-packed food per Natasha’s Law (enforced since 2021). In addition, people with a food allergy are encouraged to talk to servers about their allergen requirements.
To help shape the future best practice guidance, food businesses, consumers, and local authorities are now being asked to share their views on these proposals through the consultation which is open till 27 November.
The FSA noted the guidance will support both people living with a food hypersensitivity, ensuring they can get information in the format they prefer, and food businesses to be compliant with current legislation.
“It’s a priority of the FSA to ensure that people living with a food hypersensitivity can confidently make safe and informed choices when it comes to eating out, and that they don’t feel excluded from experiencing the great food culture this country has to offer,” commented FSA director of policy Rebecca Sudworth.
“We understand that it’s important to listen to the views of this community and food businesses to ensure that in practice, any future proposals for presenting allergen information across the out-of-home sector and for non-prepacked food in general will work for everyone as we move forward.”
Bakery suppliers showed their commitment towards allergen management earlier this year, with Country Choice appointing an ambassador for allergen awareness and food-to-go manufacturer Bakkavor raising over £20,000 for the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.
British Baker previously ran a webinar on allergen management with questions put to experts from Greggs, Campden BRI, and Natasha’s Foundation to find out where the current gaps in knowledge were and what the baking industry could do to fill them.
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