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The ABC of upcoming Food Labelling Changes
13.10.2020
Food legislation is constantly evolving, but recently there have been 3 specific areas that have dominated changes in UK/EU food labelling. This series of articles will aim to inform you of the latest changes that may affect your products and what you need to do to comply.
So what will be covered in the ABC
of food labelling changes?
We'll look at Allergen Labelling (PPDS), Brexit, and Country of Origin Labelling.
ALLERGEN LABELLING FOR 'PREPACKED FOR DIRECT SALE FOOD'
When is it happening? 1st October 2021
Food labelling requirements for prepacked for direct sale food will change from 1st October 2021 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland**. The change in law follows the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who had an allergic reaction to a baguette that didn't have allergen labelling on pack (as it was not required by law at the time). The latest law changes will help protect food hypersensitive consumers by requiring more types of food to have allergen information on the labelling.
What are 'Prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) foods'?
PPDS foods are products which are packaged at the same place they are offered to the consumer. It includes food that is packaged before the consumer selects or orders it, it can include food that customers pick themselves as well as pre-wrapped products that are kept behind the counter.
Examples of PPDS:
- Sandwiches packaged by a food business and sold/offered from the same premises
- Fast food - wrapped or packaged before a consumer selects/orders it
- Bakery products - packaged before a consumer selects it
- Supermarket products which are produced and packaged in store i.e. pizzas, pre-weighed/packed cheese & meats, rotisserie chicken, baked products
- Free samples of cakes if they are packaged at the premises
- Food packaged and sold on a market stall (if sold by the same business)
- Food packaged by a butcher i.e. burgers or sausages on the premises for sale
What information will be required on PPDS food labels?
Pre-packed for direct sale food will need to have a label showing the name of the food and a full ingredients list with any of the 14 allergenic ingredients mandated by legislation that are present in the food emphasised in the ingredients list.
**
Applicable Legislation:
The Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019 No. 1218)
The Food Information (Wales) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2020 (2020 No. 80)
The Food Information (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (2020 No. 80)
*Disclaimer: the information presented in this document is a summary of key information from cited government resources, and is for general information purposes only. All information is subject to change, correct as of 13.10.20.
