FSA DRAFT GUIDANCE FOR ALLERGEN INFORMATION
The Food Standards Agency have published their draft guidance for Allergen Information for Non-Prepacked Foods Best Practice, providing allergen information to consumers effectively. Our hopes are that this guidance will ultimately be made law and properly policed with repercussions for businesses who fail to adhere to it. Please read the document carefully by clicking on the document.
The FSA are currently running a consultation on the draft and welcome feedback, which can be submitted by 27th November via this form. We encourage you to do so, highlighting the below points and any of your own in the final text box.
1. In paragraph 29 it should be stated that the information should be provided “in writing, at the point of ordering, without the customer having to ask”
2. In paragraph 32, the use of letters (a, b, c etc) or numbers (1, 2, 3 etc) should also be allowed
3. In paragraph 34, the FSA should propose standard symbols to be used
4. The words “if possible” in paragraph 38 and elsewhere should be deleted
5. In paragraph 48, if not provided when ordering on-line or by telephone, allergen information should be provided in writing on a suitable document when the food is delivered
DRAFT LETTER TO YOUR MP
PLEASE COPY, PASTE, EDIT AS YOU SEE FIT AND SEND TO YOUR LOCAL MP AND LET US KNOW OF ANY RESPONSE.
Dear [Name of MP]
I am writing to ask you to write to Daniel Zeichner MP, Minister of State for Food, Security & Rural Affairs at DEFRA, asking him to support the implementation of Owen’s Law in line with the recommendations of the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The campaign for Owen’s Law seeks to change the law surrounding allergy labelling in establishments where food is freshly prepared: restaurants, cafés, takeaways, etc. This is in memory of Owen Carey, who was just 18 when he lost his life to anaphylaxis in 2017 after unknowingly consuming dairy in a restaurant meal, to which he was severely allergic. There have been multiple further allergy-related deaths since then, most recently Hannah Jacobs, who was served a drink in a branch of Costa, which contained dairy.
Owen’s Law compels restaurants to state the allergens in their dishes in writing at the point of ordering, be it on the face of the menu, noticeboard or app etc. This simple change would eliminate the risk that exists at the point of ordering where the waiter is not fully trained or does not understand about the allergens in each dish. To do this Owen’s family want to build on Natasha’s Law, which dealt with the ingredients and allergy listings on prepackaged takeaway food. Natasha’s Law showed that the UK’s allergen laws were flawed, outdated and needed reform, but it left an uneven situation where people taking away prepackaged food have more protection than those eating in restaurants. It is estimated that 10 people a year die from food related causes, but many more are left with uncomfortable or life-limiting conditions due to the effects of anaphylaxis, or other reactions to their food hypersensitivity. Owen’s Law is essential to protect the allergic population of the UK, which is growing each year, and ultimately prevent further deaths. Further information can be found at www.owens-law.co.uk
In December last year, after lengthy discussions between the FSA and Owen’s family, the FSA board voiced support for Owen’s Law. Their chair, professor Susan Jebb, previously wrote to Mark Spencer, Mr Zeichner’s predecessor, to ask him to cement the policies in legislation. See the letter here. However, the process was stalled by the minister asking for further clarification. Subsequently, the general election means we now have to renew our efforts with Mr Zeichner.
I ask you to urge Mr Zeichner to adopt the FSA recommendations as soon as possible. Such changes are of little cost or effort, either for the government or for food businesses themselves, but bear immeasurable benefit to those whose lives are blighted by allergies and anaphylaxis.
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