LONDON — The Food & Drink Federation, which represents food and drink manufacturers in the United Kingdom, has launched a new best practice guide called “Gluten Labelling Best Practice: How to label pre-packaged foods which include cereals containing gluten.”
The guide is designed to help manufacturers adhere to the European Unions’ Food Information to Consumers Regulation and to provide consumers with clear and consistent allergens labeling. The federation received support from Coeliac UK, a charity designed for people with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis; the Anaphylaxis Campaign, a charity for people at risk from severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis; and the British Retail Consortium.
“The charity supports the new best practice guidance for the industry and the introduction of an approach to limit the use of ‘may contain gluten’ statements on packaged foods, which will be welcomed by everyone with (celiac) disease,” said Sarah Sleet, chief executive officer of Coeliac UK.
The guide points out several new labeling requirements as a result of the enforcement of the Food Information to Consumers Regulation. For example, the specific cereal name must be emphasized within the ingredient list, such as by using bold font. The guide also covers European Commission regulations on such claims as “gluten-free” and “very low gluten.”
