New labeling compulsory shopping with allergy

New labeling requirement: shopping with allergies

13/12/2014

For a long time, it has been pointed out on many food packages that ingredients that trigger allergies can also be present. From 13th December, stricter rules for the labeling of allergenic substances will apply in the EU. However, this does not cover every incompatibility.

EU-wide changes from 13th December
As of December 13, there are many changes in food packaging. For example, substitutes must be declared or the water content of fish and meat if it is over five percent of the weight. Allergy-causing substances must also be specified in the EU food information regulation valid from Saturday. But even if the new regulation makes it easier for allergic persons to make purchases, this does not cover all incompatibilities.

Shopping with allergies
Shopping is already stressful for many people, and suffering from an allergy makes it even less fun to choose the right foods. In the case of a food allergy, those concerned will have to carefully study the list of ingredients when shopping, otherwise they may end up consuming ingredients that may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhea. Even people with intolerances to certain ingredients of food must be careful.

Allergens on packaging easier to recognize
However, due to the new regulation, most allergens will be highlighted on the packaging in the future - „by bold or color“, as Armin Valet, nutrition expert from the consumer center Hamburg, told the news agency dpa. Buyers can more easily identify the 14 most common allergenic substances, including soy, gluten and nuts, on the packaging. However, this does not apply to some substances to which sufferers react with an incompatibility. Valet gives as examples the preservatives sorbic acid or benzoic acid: „They do not have to be marked.“ People with intolerances are not allowed to skim over the list of ingredients in the future, not only with regard to the highlighted allergens.

Customers can ask in the restaurant orally
As the nutrition expert further explained, the customer may also be informed verbally about the ingredients for loose goods at the bakery or in the restaurant - there may be written information, but this is not a must. However, oral statements are often flawed according to the German Allergy and Asthma tribe. Those affected, who do not want the verbal information and want to see the list of contents in writing, have to be active themselves and ask questions, as the consumer advocate described. A corresponding document must then be submitted on request.

Shopping becomes clearer for allergy sufferers
In addition, Valet warns allergy sufferers of misunderstandings: For example, a wheat flour does not necessarily require the addition „contains gluten“, because the product name itself already applies as a sufficiently clear indication of the allergen. The tofu burger is the same, the menu does not have a note „contains soy“ his. People who are allergic to soy need to know that tofu is made from soy. Allergy sufferers and people with intolerances will therefore not be able to get along with purchasing in the future, but it will at least be clearer for them. (Ad)