The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has launched a consultation in relation to a new food labelling requirement to inform consumers about food allergens contained in non-prepacked foods. Current EU food labelling laws require all packaged food to declare on the packaging the presence of certain food allergens when they are used in the manufacture of that food.
From December 2014, the Food Information for Consumers Regulation will extend this requirement to foods sold loose (non-prepacked foods) which include meals provided in restaurants and canteens, food or food ingredients sold without packaging in retail outlets and food packed on the sales premises or at the consumer’s request in takeaways, deli counters, supermarkets, butchers or food stalls.
The extended labelling requirement will have direct benefits for consumers with a food allergy or intolerance and this consultation is designed to get the views of consumers and the food industry to inform an efficient and effective implementation of this EU legislation.
The consultation can be accessed on the FSAI website (http://www.fsai.ie/legislation/consultations/consultations_2013.html ) where the relevant EU Regulation, an explanatory note and questionnaires for consumers and food businesses can be accessed. The consultation is open until June 4th 2013.
