New FDF Guidance on Preventing Allergen Recalls for the Food Industry

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has released new guidance to help food businesses prevent and manage allergen-related issues. This resource provides a clear approach for ensuring the safety of consumers with food allergies, offering valuable steps for companies, especially those less experienced in handling allergen issues.

Why This Guidance Matters

Good allergen management is crucial to prevent food recalls caused by labelling errors or undeclared allergens, which pose serious risks to people with allergies. By following these practices, food companies can improve safety, minimise costly mistakes, and maintain consumer trust.

Key Safety Measures

The FDF guidance outlines straightforward steps for managing allergen risks throughout production. These include:

• Supplier Checks and Ingredient Tracking: Ensuring that ingredients containing allergens are clearly identified and that suppliers communicate effectively with manufacturers.
• Accurate Labelling and Packaging: Implementing checks to confirm that product labels and packaging accurately represent the contents, reducing the chance of mislabelling.
• Managing “Free-From” Claims and Cross-Contact Risks: Regular testing to verify “free-from” claims and taking precautions to avoid cross-contact with allergens.

In case of errors, the guidance advises using “root cause analysis” tools, like the Fishbone Diagram and the Five Whys, to identify and correct the underlying cause of issues.

Supporting Consumer Confidence

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) supports this guidance, as it aligns with their mission to improve food safety for individuals with allergies. By encouraging food businesses to adopt these guidelines, the FSA aims to build confidence in food labelling and allergen management across the industry.

This guidance represents a positive step in enhancing protection for people with allergies, helping companies handle allergens responsibly and reduce risks. With clearer, safer labelling, consumers can make informed choices with greater confidence.

Supporting Businesses

The Anaphylaxis UK business section of the website also offers businesses helpful insights and support to improve allergen safety. Our regular Business Forums provide businesses with updates on policies and best practices, while the new Anaphylaxis UK AllergyWise Audit Programme gives restaurants a unique perspective on the customer experience from those living with allergies.

For further information, please refer to the full guidance document to see how these practices can be applied to improve allergen safety in your operations.