On October 3, 2024, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is proposing to develop guidance on allergen declarations for non-prepackaged foods. Feedback period of November 27, 2024 for comments. Key elements:

The 14 mandatory allergens include:

  - Cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats, etc.);

  - Crustaceans and their products (shrimps, lobsters, crabs and crayfish);

  - Eggs and their products;

  - Fish and their products;

  - Peanuts and their products;

  - Soy and its products;

  - Milk and its products (including lactose);

  - Nuts (i.e. almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios and macadamia nuts) and their products;

  - Celery and its products;

  - Mustard and its products;

  - Sesame and its products;

  - Sulphur dioxide or sulphite in concentrations exceeding 10 mg/kg;

  - Lupines and their products;

  - Molluscs and their products (e.g. mussels, clams, oysters, scallops, snails and squid);

Written allergen information format:

• Information is provided using text or graphic symbols that accompany the text;

• Principles to be followed for product “does not contain” statements, “may contain”;

• Ways to ensure that allergen information is up-to-date and accurate include: keeping records of ingredients, regularly checking for changes in product ingredients, minimizing substitution of raw and auxiliary materials, regularly checking for accuracy of allergen information, using approved suppliers with supply chain assurance, conducting supplier inspections, and providing allergen management training to employees.

This guidance does not include any legislative change; it focuses on best practice for emphasising allergens in a written format in the non-prepacked sector.

In order to be able to answer the consultation questions, you will need to have read the draft Best Practice Guidance: https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/DRAFT-Allergen-Information-for-Non-Prepacked-Foods-Best-Practice-02.pdf

For more details, see: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/consultations/consultation-on-best-practice-guidance-allergen-information-for-non-prepacked-foods#revision-log