Foods better protect allergy sufferers

Food Minister wants more information for allergy sufferers

07/14/2014

Around six million people in Germany are said to be struggling with intolerances and food allergies. Federal Nutrition Minister Christian Schmidt (CSU) wants now „more clarity and more security for consumers“. Also in the restaurant and stalls will be informed in the future about allergenic ingredients.

Restaurants and stalls must inform about ingredients
Over the past ten years, the number of people with intolerances and food allergies has doubled to around six million sufferers, according to estimates by the German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB). The most common food intolerance is lactose intolerance (lactose intolerance). But fructose (fructose), gluten (cereal protein) and histamine (messenger) are among the substances that are not tolerated by many. Those affected have to deal with ailments such as stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, nausea and vomiting, as well as many other health problems. Allergy sufferers can adjust to more and better information, because Federal Nutrition Minister Christian Schmidt (CSU) announced in an interview that in the future also restaurants and sales counters need to inform about ingredients.

Clarity and safety for consumers
For a long time, it has been possible to read on packaged foods whether they contain lactose, nuts, celery or soy, for example, to which consumers are allergic. The Minister of Food wants to take in future the catering industry and sellers of loose goods such as bakers and butchers in the obligation. Opposite the „Saarbrücken newspaper“ Schmidt said „I want more clarity and more security for consumers.“ He will therefore „Soon, at food counters and in catering, provide reliable, written information about allergens found in foods.“

Information should become mandatory
Even though some retailers are already voluntarily listing the most important allergens on their price tags in the display and informing restaurants on drinks and menus with footnotes about the risk components they contain, not all of them do. But this should now become mandatory and indeed „clearly visible and readable.“ At present, an appropriate regulation is passed by the federal ministries involved, Schmidt explained. The Federal Government is thus implementing a specification of the European Union, which should enter into force at the end of the year.

In exceptional cases, oral information allowed
On the part of the Federal Nutrition Minister, the affected companies „workable and unbureaucratic“ Rules agreed. According to the report, the regulation stipulates that shopkeepers must point out the ingredients on a label next to the food in question. But also posters are possible. Caterers should also publish references to allergenic substances in the food and drink menus. Instead of the written information, a verifiable verbal information is allowed in exceptional cases. So far, people who suffer from food intolerances often find that sellers and waiters do not have the information they need when they ask. (Ad)