Allergy deaths can be avoided with proper labels, says FSA

RETAILERS that prepare and package food to sell on-site should list all ingredients they use to avoid allergy deaths, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said.

The FSA will advise ministers that food outlets should display labels including a full list of ingredients with all 14 major allergens highlighted.

The proposed changes follow the death of Natasha Ednan-laperouse, who died after eating a sandwich from Pret A Manger.

Currently, food prepared and sold on-site does not require warning labels about potential allergens because it is assumed that customers who require information will question staff.

The FSA board discussed options ranging from promoting best practice in the food industry to the mandatory labelling of allergens but decided to recommend that food outlets must label all food with a full ingredient list, highlighting the 14 major allergens, including nuts, eggs and milk.

Heather Hancock, an FSA chairwoman, told BBC Radio 4’s World at One: “It did attract some opposition from business.

“We are balancing consumer protection, public health protection with the ability of people to deliver a good business service and choice to people who have got an allergy or intolerance.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will have the final say on if new rules are introduced.

Miss Ednan-laperouse, 15, from Fulham, south-west London, collapsed in July 2016 after eating a baguette containing sesame she bought at a Pret outlet in Heathrow Airport. By Daily Telegraph Reporter