Nut warnings can confuse and restrict - Food Industry Report - Anaphylaxis Campaign - Brief Article

Eurofood, June 20, 2002

A new study from the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) from the Anaphylaxis Campaign, has shown that food labelling regarding nut contents is unclear and confusing.

People with nut allergies need to know if there are any nuts or nut products in goods, but the range of terminology and location of the warnings has led to criticism. Consumers have complained that warnings are overused and can unnecessarily restrict consumer choice. They are also concerned that overuse undermines the importance of valid warnings.

The FSA report found that more than half (56%) of the products in an average shopping basket were labelled with a phrase to indicate the presence of nuts. Also, phrases used to describe nut trace contamination included `may contain nut or nut traces', `not suitable for nut allergy sufferers' and `made in a production area that uses nuts'. Of the products examined, 11% carried allergen information in a different place on the label to the ingredient listing.

Dr Catherine Boyle, head of Allergy and Food Intolerance at the Agency, said the FSA "recognises that "may contain" labelling is essential to allergy sufferers, and that manufacturers are striving to provide this information. However this report confirms that consumers are concerned and confused about the inconsistent way this information is communicated. Using `may contain' as a blanket insurance policy has a real impact on nut allergy sufferers as they find their choice of even the most basic of food items significantly restricted."