Labelling
Moderator: talkhealth
Labelling
I am concerned about the new Tesco labelling. A lot of previously safe products are now unsafe as they have may contain nuts on them. I thought the new legislation was to make labelling better for allergy sufferers but it seems to be doing the opposite!! I have been told by my consultant not to use may contains, it makes shopping hard!
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Dr Helen Brough
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:36 pm
Re: Labelling
Dear mrsh2105,
The issue with labelling is difficult and a lot of work is on-going to try to improve this for people with food allergies. The Food Standards Agency will be bringing out results in the next 6-12 months of a large study where they assessed milk, gluten, peanut and hazelnut contamination in 500 foods with and without precautionary advisory labelling (http://food.gov.uk/science/research/all ... /fs241038/). As from December this year there will also be mandatory allergy labelling on all loose foods (such as those sold in bakeries) and restaurants.
There is also a study ongoing called The TRACE Peanut Study (http://www.tracestudy.com/) which is looking into the labelling issue specifically for peanut allergy. The TRACE Peanut Study aims to find out exactly how much peanut will cause an allergic reaction in those with a peanut allergy by conducting ‘challenges’ on around 100 people. The focus area of the study is on two ‘extrinsic’ factors known to influence allergic thresholds (exercise and tiredness).
There is a useful leaflet on the FSA website which discusses labelling: http://multimedia.food.gov.uk/multimedi ... eaflet.pdf.
I would also suggest speaking to a Dietitian about labelling or contacting support charities such as the Anaphylaxis Campaign, Allergy UK and Action Against Allergy.
I hope this helps.
Dr Helen Brough
Consultant in Paediatric Allergy
Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital
The issue with labelling is difficult and a lot of work is on-going to try to improve this for people with food allergies. The Food Standards Agency will be bringing out results in the next 6-12 months of a large study where they assessed milk, gluten, peanut and hazelnut contamination in 500 foods with and without precautionary advisory labelling (http://food.gov.uk/science/research/all ... /fs241038/). As from December this year there will also be mandatory allergy labelling on all loose foods (such as those sold in bakeries) and restaurants.
There is also a study ongoing called The TRACE Peanut Study (http://www.tracestudy.com/) which is looking into the labelling issue specifically for peanut allergy. The TRACE Peanut Study aims to find out exactly how much peanut will cause an allergic reaction in those with a peanut allergy by conducting ‘challenges’ on around 100 people. The focus area of the study is on two ‘extrinsic’ factors known to influence allergic thresholds (exercise and tiredness).
There is a useful leaflet on the FSA website which discusses labelling: http://multimedia.food.gov.uk/multimedi ... eaflet.pdf.
I would also suggest speaking to a Dietitian about labelling or contacting support charities such as the Anaphylaxis Campaign, Allergy UK and Action Against Allergy.
I hope this helps.
Dr Helen Brough
Consultant in Paediatric Allergy
Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital
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