New Regulations Drive up Recalls

Tough new labelling regulations concerning allergens are driving up the number of product recalls by UK's food producers. It's another case of the UK following the US example, where the failure to declare potential allergens is responsible for anywhere between 50-80% of all product recalls.

The UK's labelling regulations changed in November 2004 as a result of an EU Directive. The new regulations list twelve major food allergens that must be declared on the label if present in any packaged food.

According to the free weekly Food e-News service published by UK food laboratory Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), just last week there were four cases of recalls that appear to have been influenced by the new regulations. Boots Company plc recalled its own brand of 'Free From Chocolate Flavoured Bars' because they may have contained milk products. Kraft Foods UK recalled its 'Dairylea Lunchables Ham Stack'ems' because some packs may have contained the Dairylea Lunchables Hotdogs variety, and the affected packets did not show the correct ingredients or allergy advisory statement. Sainsbury's recalled two varieties of its own brand 'Freefrom Iced Desserts', which were described as dairy-free but may have contained a dairy ingredient. Kettle Foods Ltd recalled select batches of its 'Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar Kettle Chips', because they may have been contaminated with an undeclared dairy seasoning.

"The new regulations mean that food companies can't ignore the possibility that their products contain ingredients that are perfectly legal and safe for the vast majority of consumers but could be harmful to a few if left undeclared," says Chris Smart of RSSL. "It seems inevitable that we will see more and more recalls due to the presence of undeclared allergens."