New rules for food vendors

The rules, among other things, require that if a food contains any of the 14 specified allergens, they must be declared on the label of a prepacked food or on a menu or other document in catering premises.

Businesses will need to have good systems in place to identify which allergens are present in the ingredients making up the food and how to control them. This should include clear recipes/specifications and risk assessments.

During November, Trading Standards will be teaming up with their district council partners in South and Vale and West Oxfordshire to run some seminars for caterers, with more to follow in Cherwell and City (dates to be confirmed).

More information

The Food Standards Agency has provide a host of information to help businesses get to grips with the new law. Find the information here.

• http://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/allergy-guide/allergen-resources
• http://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/allergy-guide

Nutritional information

The rules for prepacked foods are also changing in relation to nutritional information, font size and if a product has been previous frozen. If you need more advice on the changes to your labels, please contact Trading Standards.