{"id":47446,"date":"2020-11-06T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=47446"},"modified":"2024-06-25T18:03:51","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T17:03:51","slug":"allergen-regulations-for-distance-sellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/allergen-regulations-for-distance-sellers\/","title":{"rendered":"Allergen Regulations for Takeaways and Distance Sellers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As many as 1 in 3 people <\/strong>in the UK have an allergy or intolerance, the most common form being a food allergy<\/strong>. This number has risen 5% on average each year. Additionally NHS figures for adults show there is a yearly increase in life threatening allergic reactions and hospitalisations, double in 2020 than in 2013. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failing to declare allergens to customers or providing correct allergen labelling could result in a fine, further action by authorities and increase the risk of causing harm to customers with allergies. With more and more restaurants turning to delivery options during lockdown, this brings additional legislation practices for business owners of takeaways and online or distance sellers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will explain the current EU and UK distance selling regulations regarding when and how to provide allergen labelling information to consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Does \u2018Distance Selling\u2019 Refer to?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Distance selling is the indirect selling of products rather than selling directly to customers over the counter or face to face. This includes products sold online via a website, on an app, by phone or by mail order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of online and distance selling vendors include delivered takeaways such as Domino\u2019s Pizza, food ordered via an app such as Deliveroo, and call and collect takeaway orders. Furthermore, meal kit delivery services like Hello Fresh, websites that sell imported foreign foods, and products sold via Facebook all come under the category \u2018distance selling\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Man<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Who Do the Food Information Regulations Apply to?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All food businesses must have a full traceability system in place to be able to track the ingredients, products or food-producing animals used in the finished goods. You must be able to produce this information on demand if a customer or Environmental Health Officer asks for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All food premises providing a delivery service should have an understanding of allergens. They must also provide allergen information for all products sold<\/strong>. In the UK there are 14 allergens that by law must be declared if contained in the food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 14 named allergens are:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Celery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Cereals containing gluten (such as barley and oats).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Crustaceans (such as prawns, crabs and lobsters).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Eggs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Fish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Lupin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Milk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Molluscs (such as mussels and oysters).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Mustard. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Peanuts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Sesame.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Soybeans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (if they are at a concentration of more than ten parts per million).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Tree nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    We have created a free downloadable poster<\/a> to help you remember the 14 named allergens. Display it in your food premises as a reminder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Food labelling is in place to warn those who are allergic to, or intolerant of, ingredients that could cause them to have a negative experience, such as an allergic reaction. Some allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis <\/strong>– a severe reaction to an allergen that can be fatal for those who are affected. Businesses should therefore take food information regulations and allergen labelling practices seriously to avoid the potentially harmful consequences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Lightbulb<\/div>

    Food Allergens Report 2024<\/h3><\/div><\/div>

    In our Food Allergens Report 2024, we have investigated the current state of allergy safety in UK eateries. Eager to uncover the truth? Read the report here<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n

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    \"Peanuts\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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    Before the Sale<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Allergen labelling should legally be provided before the purchase is concluded. This can be provided via: <\/p>\n\n\n\n