Lactose intolerant or peanut allergic can no longer be caught off guard. With a view to greater transparency and prevention of allergic risks, food products must clearly state whether they contain allergenic substances. The measure, published in the Official Journal in application of a European provision, will take effect on 1 July next.
Until now, information on the possible presence of ingredients at risk for allergic consumers has been difficult to decipher. Previously vague or even non-existent, the statement must now specify whether the food concerned contains one of the 14 allergenic ingredients, namely: gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soya, dairy products, “nuts” (walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios …), celery, mustard, sesame, sulfur dioxide and sulphites (food additives), lupines (flowers), and molluscs.
For prepackaged foods, the reference to allergens should be “indicated on the labeling”, the text states.
For non-prepackaged foods served by canteens and the restaurants, the presence of allergens must be specified in writing and made available to the customer who requests it.
A la carte labeling methods
For products for immediate consumption at butchers and caterers for example, the information must be indicated “on the food or in the immediate vicinity (on the store window for example, Editor’s note) so that it does not exist. no uncertainty as to the food to which it relates “, continues the text.
This new labeling provision comes a few weeks after the vote by the National Assembly of the article of the Health Act onsimplified nutritional labeling. Subject to agreement with manufacturers, a logo and a color code should soon appear on food packaging and allow consumers to assess the nutritional quality of the product.
>> To read also: Food labeling deciphered by a nutritionist
