News article
19 February 2020
The FDF publishes guidance on 'Allergen'-Free and Vegan Claims
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The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has today published 'FDF
Guidance on 'Allergen'-Free and Vegan Claims'. This UK guidance, supported by the
Food
Standards Agency, aims to inform both the wider food industry and consumers as
to the difference
between 'allergen'-free claims (e.g. milk-free) and vegan claims. Each claim
communicates to
different consumer groups, with only the allergen absence claim being food
safety information.
The provision of this information aims to dispel any misunderstanding that a
vegan claim
automatically means a food product is safe and suitable for an allergic
consumer. The document
details the current legal frameworks that regulates the use of these voluntary
claims and how it may
develop going forward. It also signposts to resources and positions from other
relevant stakeholders
both in the UK and EU.
Heather Hancock, Chairman of the Food Standards Agency, said:
“The FSA warmly welcomes the FDF's work to improve the clarity of allergen
information
provided to consumers. Getting this right is essential to ensure that food is
safe for people living with
food allergy or intolerances. This new guidance makes clear the requirements
for
free-from claims for
egg and milk, and it also contains important clarifications about vegan
labelling, which will help
prevent shortcuts and other claims inadvertently leading people with food
hypersensitivity to make the
wrong food choices. It is very important that industry continues to make sure
food hypersensitive
consumers are informed and protected.”
Alex Turtle, FDF's Food Law, Labelling and Enforcement Manager said:
“In an ever-evolving regulatory landscape, FDF strives to support food
manufacturers to
provide accurate consumer information, and is well-aware that an informed
allergic consumer is a
more protected consumer. Our new guidance informs both industry and consumers
on
the difference
between these label claims and, from a food safety perspective, that vegan
should not be interpreted
as meaning 'allergen'-free.”
Lynne Regent, CEO of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, said:
"The Anaphylaxis Campaign commends the FDF for recognising and addressing the
confusion that has arisen around vegan labelling and allergy. By working with
patient organisations
such as ourselves to produce clear guidance for both consumers and industry,
the
risk of the allergic
consumer misunderstanding the vegan label, with the potential for very serious
consequences, will be
reduced. As the only UK wide charity operating solely on behalf of those at
risk
from severe allergies
and anaphylaxis, this guidance will be a valuable resource to help us provide
reliable information
about the crucial difference between 'free-from' and 'animal free'.”
Chantelle Adkins, Director of Business Development at the Vegan Society, said:
"The Vegan Society is pleased to see further guidance for food manufacturers
that helps to
clarify the difference between vegan labelling and allergen labelling. We do
not
claim that products
registered with our Vegan Trademark alone will be suitable for people with
allergies. We take
consumer safety very seriously and would encourage anyone with a food allergy
not to rely on vegan
labelling to mean that a product will contain no trace of animal derived
allergens.”
Notes for editors:
- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink
manufacturing
industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more information about
FDF
and the industry
we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk
- The 'FDF Guidance on 'Allergen'-Free and Vegan Claims is available on the FDF website
- Anaphylaxis Campaign is the only UK wide charity operating solely for the
growing numbers
of people at risk from severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
- The Vegan Society is a registered educational charity that provides information
and guidance
on various aspects of veganism
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