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Food Standards Agency

Sunday 21 March 2010

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Consumer surveys on allergy and intolerance

Scientific surveys provide important information on consumer attitudes and understanding to allergy and allergy labelling. This can be used to help food businesses give helpful information to customers who need to avoid certain ingredients because of an allergy.

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Consumer understanding of new labelling terms for foods marketed for people with gluten intolerance

Research was carried out to explore reactions towards new EU legislation relating to the labelling on products marketed to individuals who follow a gluten-free diet. A summary of the report is available.

Guidance on Allergen Management and Consumer Information – Evaluation Research

In 2006, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) published voluntary Guidance on Allergen Management and Consumer Information. This is best practice guidance on controlling food allergens in the factory setting, with particular reference to avoiding crosscontamination and using appropriate advisory labelling (e.g. ‘may contain’ labelling).

School council allergy study 2007

The Agency's school council network has carried out a study of children's attitudes to allergies. The study aimed to find out more about young people's views and awareness of food allergies. It highlighted a need to raise awareness and educate people about allergies at an early age.

Allergies and 'free from' foods

Research was conducted to explore the consumption of 'free from' foods amongst those with an allergy/intolerance and those without, consumer understanding of such terms was also explored.

Information for teenagers with food allergy

The Agency commissioned qualitative research to establish the information needs of teenagers and young people with food allergies and intolerance, and to explore how best these needs can be met and how better to communicate with children and young people.

Stakeholder meeting minutes on 'May contain' allergen labelling

Held on Wednesday 4 August 2004 at Food Standards Agency HQ, Aviation House, London.The intention of the meeting was to bring key stakeholders together to discuss a way forward for guidance on the use of 'May Contain' nut contamination warnings, a strategic objective the Agency is committed to achieving by 2006.

Nut Allergy Labelling

The aim of this research was to inform discussions on guidelines for nut trace contamination (NTC) warning designs for products that contain nuts/may have been contaminated by nut traces.

Improving information in catering outlets and for foods sold loose

Consumers have identified a number of different information issues with regard to non-prepacked foods including allergens, date marks, logos and nutrition information. Allergens, the use of healthy eating information, logos and origin labelling are also important issues in relation to catering establishments.

'May Contain' Labelling

This shopping basket comparison was carried out to test the premise that people with nut allergy take longer to shop, find it difficult to locate, read and believe nut trace contamination information.

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