A month-long campaign for allergen awareness has commenced! Food Safety Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) started this campaign to remind businesses about getting food labelling correct. But why is it important?
Incorrect information on a business’s allergen labelling is a matter of life and death. For people with allergies, it is vital to have the right information presented. Statements like ‘may contain’ or ‘may be present’ are on most packagings but this statement are solely made by the manufacturers and not regulated by the Food Standards Code.
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) believe that more than 650,000 Australians diagnosed with a food allergy. Bur a recent study has found that these 650,000 people or so are in danger. A report from the Food Safety of Ireland (FSAI) found an unacceptable level of noncompliance by business when it comes to food allergy labelling. If this is the case in Ireland… what might Australia’s scenario be like?
Allergen Summary
Therefore, with so many lives at stake, it is important to get the food labelling right for food businesses. People can suffer bouts of sickness or it can even cause death. Let’s hope this month-long campaign organised the FSANZ will highlight the importance of allergen labelling.
What allergens should you be looking on food packaging? Does your business need to take allergens more seriously?
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