Allergen labelling: Current practice and improvement from a communication perspective.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Allergen information on product labels is crucial in food allergy management, though inadequacy in current labelling practices is one of the major causes for accidental reactions upon consuming prepacked food products.

Objective

This study analyses current status of communicating allergen information on food labels and provides practical recommendations for improving the label format based on communication theory.

Methods

Product labels (N 288) of seven food categories from private label products and brands were obtained at three retailers in the Netherlands. Information regarding the 14 EU-regulated allergens was evaluated by the frequency of emphasizing allergens in the ingredient list, use of precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), icons and an allergen

SUBMITTER: Blom WM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8048984 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature