LABELLING COMPLIANCE


the


labelling challenge A


Facing up toallergen


Suzanne Callander reports on the compliance challenges facing bakeries today when it comes to ensuring accurate labelling of products.


ccording to the World Allergy Organization (WAO),


the global


prevalence of food allergies is estimated to affect up to 520 million people. It estimates that 3 - 10% of


children have food allergies, with 40% of children with food allergies being allergic to multiple foods, while up to 10% of adults also have food allergies. Undeclared allergens are the leading cause of


food recalls. In the US, for example, FDA food recalls for all but one quarter since Q2 2017 were as a result of undeclared allergens, including 52 recalls in Q3 2023 alone. Further, the volume of overall food recalls is increasing – there were a total of 506 FDA recalls across 2023, a five-year high for the industry. In an era where food allergies seem to be becoming


increasingly prevalent, stringent


allergen labelling regulations have been put in place across the globe to protect consumers. For bakery manufacturers, navigating this complex web of European and global allergen labelling requirements is challenging,


but essential.


Compliance is not just a legal obligation but is also a way to build trust with consumers and avoid costly recalls.


The World Health Organization lists its ‘big 8’ food allergens as:


• Cereals containing gluten • Crustacea and products of these • Eggs and egg products • Fish and fish products • Peanuts and products of these • Soybeans and products of these • Milk and milk products • Tree nuts and nut products.


18 Kennedy’s Bakery Production October/November 2024


In 2023 the US expanded this list, positioning sesame as the ninth allergen. In the European Union, food allergens are strictly regulated under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, which governs the provision of food information to consumers. This legislation requires food manufacturers, including bakeries, to highlight 14 allergens in the ingredients list if present in


bakeryproduction.co.uk


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