New FSA Allergy Guidelines Come into Effect
14 food allergen ingredients to require identification.
New EU rules are to come into effect on Dec 13 requiring restaurants and takeaways to let customers know if any one of 14 different food allergens is in the food they serve.
Although food sellers are given latitude in how they advise customers, the allergens are set and include celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, nuts, soya and sulphur dioxides.
The rules are designed to reduce the near 5,000 hospitalisations and 10 deaths that occur each year as a result of allergic reactions.
Speaking about the new laws, Chun-Han Chan, food allergies expert at the FSA said "These new measures will make it simpler for those with allergies to buy and consume food. Allergies can be fatal for some people and this is why it is vital that food businesses give their customers information they can trust".
