UK’s FSA Backs Mandatory Full Ingredient Labeling
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised that increased allergen information should be provided on pre-packed direct sale food to give consumers greater confidence in the food they eat.
The incorrect labeling remains an issue including for the bakery industry that can cause important health issues or even death. One of the well-known cases was of a teenager in the UK who died because the artisan baguette she had eaten. Pret-A-Manger chain did not label “artisan” baguettes as containing sesame seeds despite six allergic reaction cases in the year before a girl died, an inquest has found.
The FSA board also set out key priorities identified as part of an ambition to make the UK the best place for food hypersensitive consumers, which includes those with food allergy and intolerance.
At a public meeting, the Board agreed on advice for Ministers that full ingredient labeling should be mandatory for all pre-packed food for direct sale.
The FSA agrees with allergic consumers that full ingredient labeling would deliver a significant improvement, and greater consistency by following the same labeling system that consumers are familiar with, as found on packaged food.
The Food Standards Agency Chair, Heather Hancock said: “Food allergies and intolerance affects millions of people and its impact can be as big or bigger than almost all other foodborne diseases. That is why we have concluded that more extensive food labeling is the right outcome to provide greater protection for consumers but introduced in a way that we can be confident will work. While it is impossible to eliminate the risks entirely, we consider that this change along with other measures we are prioritizing will deliver more effective protection for allergic consumers.”
The board also agreed that the department should lead on a range of work to promote and accelerate the sharing of best practice across the industry and improve awareness in businesses and the public.
The decision by the board will be the basis for the formal advice provided to ministers who will take the final decision.