FDF guidance on 'allergen'-free and vegan claims
30 August 2023
This FDF guidance aims to inform both the wider food industry and consumers as to the difference between 'allergen'-free claims (e.g. milk-free) and vegan claims. Each claim communicates to different consumer groups, with only the allergen absence claim being food safety information.
The provision of this information aims to dispel any misunderstanding that a vegan claim automatically means a food product is safe and suitable for an allergic consumer. The document details the current legal frameworks that regulates the use of these voluntary claims and how it may develop going forward. It also signposts to resources and positions from other relevant stakeholders both in the UK and EU.
Topics
- Allergen labelling and management
- General Food labelling
- Food information & regulatory assurance
Sectors
- Vegetarian, Vegan & Plant Based
- Gluten Free
FSA Foreword
“The FSA warmly welcomes the FDF's work to improve the clarity of allergen information provided to consumers. Getting this right is essential to ensure that food is safe for people living with food allergy or intolerances. This new guidance makes clear the requirements for free-from claims for egg and milk, and it also contains important clarifications about vegan labelling, which will help prevent shortcuts and other claims inadvertently leading people with food hypersensitivity to make the wrong food choices. It is very important that industry continues to make sure food hypersensitive consumers are informed and protected.”
Heather Hancock, Chairman of the Food Standards Agency [2020]