Environmental problems Pre packed food labelling

Food allergies

The government has now made it a compulsory feature of all food packaging, including that of alcoholic drinks, to ensure that all consumers are provided with a comprehensive list of ingredients. This allows the consumer to check for any of the following food components that they want to avoid, in particular, in the event of specific allergies:

  • Cereals containing gluten
  • Crustaceans
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Peanuts
  • Soybeans
  • Milk and dairy products (including lactose)
  • Nuts and nut products
  • Sesame seeds
  • Sulphite at concentration of at least 10mg/kg and products thereof
  • Celery
  • Mustard

Components of compounds that make up less that 25% of a particular final product must also be listed.

However, the European Commission suggests that in the following cases, full lists of ingredients need not be listed:

  • Compound ingredients making up less than 5% of the finished product
  • Sauces and Mustards making up less than 5% of the finished product
  • Herbs and Spices in mixtures of Herbs and Spices which make up less than 2% of the finished product

Do it Online

Food safety - report a problem

Neighbourhood Services

Email:

Telephone: 0161 234 5004

PO Box 532
Manchester
M60 2LA

Was this page helpful?

Fields marked * cannot be left blank

Feedback submitted to us on this form is monitored but you won’t receive a reply. In an emergency, visit our emergency contact details page. Please don't include any personal or financial information, for example your National Insurance or credit card numbers.