Changes to food labelling to make things clearer for consumers

Shropshire Council’s public protection service is reminding that changes to food labelling came into effect last weekend.

A new EU Commission Directive has brought into force the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (1169/2011EC), which came into force on Saturday 13 December 2014.  This allows consumers to have clearer information about the food they are eating.

This legislation covers business operators at all stages of the food chain when providing information.

There are new requirements for mandatory information to be available and easily accessible for all foods, for the legibility and clarity of the information, and there is a new minimum font size.

Nutrition information at the moment is optional, unless a nutrition or health claim is made or a vitamin is voluntarily added.  The way this information has to be presented is also in a new format.

The labelling of allergenic ingredients also has to be done in a prescribed format, and information must to be available not only for pre-packed foods, but food sold loose and through takeaway restaurants.  The unintentional presence of allergens can be caused by cross contamination, and this is covered under the Food Safety Act and general Food Law.

Although food allergies are rare it is thought about 2% of adults are affected, and 8% of children under the age of three.

People with food allergies have to be extremely careful about what they eat.  Food labelling is therefore very important to those with food allergies, as there can be potentially serious consequences from eating food to which they are allergic.

Allergies to foods are probably the most frightening forms of allergic reaction, with symptoms ranging from very mild to the severest form, anaphylaxis.

If a severe allergy has been identified, it is important that the sufferer should avoid even tiny amounts of their trigger food or substance.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection, said:

“The changes are aimed at supporting both businesses and consumers by providing greater consistency in food labelling, ensuring that food produced in Shropshire is safe to eat and giving consumers confidence in the products they purchase.”

The council’s public protection service is able to offer help and advice to businesses on this legislation, as well as in many other areas of trading legislation.

It is proposed to offer a training day at a minimal cost to cover the issues of food standards, food safety and food hygiene.

For further information contact Annette Breese on 01743 251706 or Paulina Poplawska on 01743 251732, or email advicecompliance@shropshire.gov.uk.