The FSA is seeking views on draft technical guidance primarily aimed at food businesses that are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The guidance gives SMEs information about changes in European Union food allergen labelling for prepacked foods and allergen information for non-prepacked foods.
About the proposed guidance
The draft guidance, which can be found via the link at the foot of this page, covers new rules on food allergen labelling and the provision of food allergen information which will apply across the European Union, including the UK, from 13 December 2014. The guidance aims to support SME food producers, manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and caterers, in following these rules.
Two-phase consultation
Full information about the guidance and consultation can be found in the interested parties letter, which can be found via the links below.
The consultation will allow stakeholders a total of six weeks to provide comments on the guidance. This period will be split into two phases with a revised version of the guidance, incorporating comments received in the first round, being published for further comment. Details of this are explained in the consultation process section of the interested parties letter.
Phase one questions
- Do you think this guidance helps you develop your understanding of the new allergen requirements? Is it also helpful in assisting SMEs to comply with the requirements?
- Based on initial estimates, the FSA believes that it will take an average of 2 hours for businesses to read and familiarise themselves with the whole guidance. Do you agree?
When commenting, please consider that the time taken to read the guidance depends on the particular business (i.e. prepacked foods or non-prepacked foods) and for some not all parts of the guidance will apply.
Your views on this assessment as well as any supporting evidence will be welcomed. - Any suggestions for improving its content (layout, wording, examples etc.).
What area the proposal applies to:
- additives and supplements
- allergy and intolerance
- dairy products and vegetable oils
- fish and shellfish
- food law, monitoring and controls
- imports
When:
Deadline for submitting phase one comments is Thursday 5 June 2014.
The deadline for phase two comments will be Tuesday 15 July 2014.
Details of the final review and the final guidance itself is expected to be published during week commencing Monday 21 July 2014.
Links to documents:
Draft technical guidance: Food allergen labelling and information (EU Regulation 1169/2011) (pdf 347KB) For consultation (May 2014)
Letter to interested parties about draft technical guidance on food allergen labelling (pdf 140KB) Issued 15 May 2014
Letter to interested parties in Northern Ireland about draft technical guidance on food allergen labelling (pdf 139KB)
Letter to interested parties in Wales about draft technical guidance on food allergen labelling