Food and Drink Wales - News Update - February 2022

February 2022

 
 

Food Standards Agency consultation on precautionary allergen labelling – Your views are sought

Precautionary Allergen labelling

Precautionary allergen labelling, also known as PAL, is a challenge for businesses and consumers who both find it confusing and not fit for purpose. PAL is a voluntary statement that businesses can choose to apply to food products where there is a risk of allergen cross- contamination.  Although there are a number of labelling terms used, the most common phrase is ‘may contain’, and the information can be provided verbally, on signs, and on menus, depending how the food is sold the FSA is looking for your ideas for approaches to this labelling that is workable for businesses and which also improves consumer choice and trust.

Current labelling legislation requires that food products should indicate the presence of any of the 14 main allergens used as an ingredient or processing aid. However, in cases where there is a risk of unintentional allergen cross-contamination (for example where multiple foods are prepared in the same kitchen), and the food business has established the risk cannot be sufficiently controlled, it is best practice for a precautionary allergen label statement to be used to communicate this risk.

Your feedback will assist in potential approaches for labelling on prepacked and non-prepacked food so that the information is communicated more clearly and consistently for consumers. Any solution has to be feasible for food businesses and keep consumers safe without unnecessarily limiting their food choice. The Agency would specifically like to hear from businesses in the retail, catering and manufacturing sectors, plus allergy charities and advocates, the clinical profession and academics, local authorities and any other organisations or institutions who have an interest in food hypersensitivity.

Further details can be found on  the FSA website and you can respond online. Closing date for responses is 14 March 2022.

Insight Conference 2022: Turning Knowledge into Action

Insight Programme Conference

14th, 15th, 16th and 18th March

Join us in March for Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Insight Programme annual conference for 5 themed sessions over 4 days covering Retail, Out of Home, Export, Economic Situation, and an NPD feature.  We have an exciting line-up of expert speakers from research partners Kantar, IGD, CGA, Euromonitor and thefoodpeople, as well as case studies from businesses who have had success Turning Knowledge into Action.

To register to attend, click here 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/insight-conference-2022-turning-knowledge-into-action-tickets-262543293057

#CaruCymruCaruBlas #LoveWalesLoveTaste this St David’s Day – March 1st 2022

LoveWalesLoveTaste

The industry-wide digital campaign - #CaruCymruCaruBlas #LoveWalesLoveTaste - will be back in force for St David’s Day 2022! This campaign will be the biggest one yet to encourage Welsh and GB shoppers to celebrate with Food & Drink from Wales on our national day.

 
 
 

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Quarterly newsletter for the Welsh food and drink industry from the Welsh Government's Food Division.  

News, events and matters relating to the industry in Wales.

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