East Suffolk Council
Allergens and the Food Information Regulations
Advice for food business operators
The Food Information Regulations 2014 introduced new legal obligations to supply information to consumers on the allergens that are in the food that you serve and sell. It is no longer be acceptable to say that you don’t know.
The information can be given to consumers in a variety of ways, including chalk boards, tickets, menus or orally. The information needs to be available before the consumer purchases the food.
This change in law applies to all catering establishments and food business operators that sell loose food or food that has been packed and sold on their premises, for example, butchers, delis and restaurants. This includes products made on the premises and packed and also splitting and packing food from bulk.
The Food Allergen Risk Assessment for Caterers leaflet gives you the information relating to these changes and how your business can prepare. It contains details of the 14 allergens and how the information can be given to consumers.
There is also an editable checklist of allergens in food served on your premises which can be used to help record the allergens in each food. When filling this in consider all aspects of the food including garnishes, oils and marinades. You need to look at all of the ingredients you use in your food and see what allergens are in there. You need to look at all compound ingredients like margarine, stock powder and sauces.
The Food Standards Agency has produced guidance on the new requirements for selling loose food and also technical guidance on allergen labelling for catering establishments:
If you require more information or do not understand the requirements then please contact Suffolk Trading Standards on 01473 264859 or email trading.standards@suffolk.gov.uk.
Industry developed guidance
The British Dietetic Association and Hospital Caterers Association have provided guidance in the form of a food allergy toolkit for non-pre-packed food in a healthcare setting.
Free FSA food allergy training online
The Food Standards Agency provides a free online interactive food allergy training tool that highlights steps that should be followed to make sure good practice is used in the manufacture and production of food.
Natasha’s Law – a food allergen labelling requirement from 1 October 2021
Natasha's Law is named after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who, at the age of 15, tragically died because of a severe allergic reaction. Natasha had a sesame allergy and was not made aware that sesame seeds had been baked into the bread of a sandwich she had purchased. The new labelling requirements for food which is “Pre-packed for Direct Sale” (PPDS) will help protect consumers by providing potentially life-saving allergen information on packaging.
What is Pre-packed for Direct Sale (PPDS)?
Pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) is food which is packaged at the same place that it is offered or sold to consumers and is in this packaging before it is ordered or selected.
What is the requirement?
Any business that produces PPDS food will be required to label it with the name of the food and a full ingredients list, with allergenic ingredients emphasised within the list.
Examples of PPDS that will need labelling:
- Sandwiches and bakery products which are packed on site before a consumer selects or orders them.
- Fast food such as cartons of chips or chicken nuggets in packaging and placed under a hot lamp.
- Products which are pre-packaged on site ready for sale, such as pizzas, rotisserie chicken, salads and pasta pots.
- Sliced meat pre-packaged by a butcher on the premises ready for sale to consumers.
- Foods packaged and then sold elsewhere by the same operator at a market stall or mobile site.
Where can I find out more?
The Food Standards Agency has produced an allergen and ingredients labelling tool and you can check if your business sells PPDS food and find out more about the different requirements for labelling, and what you need to do at www.food.gov.uk/allergen-labelling-changes-for-prepacked-for-direct-sale-ppds-food
If you require more information or do not understand the requirements, please contact Suffolk Trading Standards on 0345 404 0506 or email trading.standards@suffolk.gov.uk