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Wrongly labelled foodstuffs remain a risk for many of those who suffer from allergies

14.06.16 | Fréttir
Mand handler i supermarkedet
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Yadid Levy/Norden.org
Every tenth food product investigated had incorrect labelling with regard to ingredients to which many people are allergic. This has been proven by a study carried out in 2015 in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The Nordic project comprised control of information on labels regarding allergenic ingredients in a total of 351 products. Analyses were carried out for the allergens milk, hazelnuts, peanuts, eggs and gluten in products where the labels did not specify such ingredients. The purpose of these analyses was to detect whether these allergens were present, despite not being included in the list of ingredients.

“We carried out a similar study four years ago, and unfortunately the food industry does not appear to have achieved a sufficient improvement. This is a serious issue, as an allergic reaction could in the worst case scenario be life-threatening,” confirms Ylva Sjögren Bolin, Project Manager at the National Food Agency, Sweden.

The industry must make improvements

People who suffer from allergies may react differently, for example with stomach pains, vomiting, eczema, asthma and allergic (anaphylactic) shock. Ingredients that are known to commonly cause allergic reactions must always be clearly stated on a product, irrespective of the volume of the ingredient.

The individual company is responsible for correct labelling of their products. This applies both to companies that produce their own products and companies that import products. The fact that the study uncovered a number of incorrect labels is very worrying.

“It is essential for people with allergies to be able to trust labels, so that they are not exposed to unnecessary risk. Nordic producers and importers of food products have to understand the seriousness of this situation, and make sure their labels are correct,” states Ylva Sjögren Bolin.

A severe health risk

Milk protein was found in 12% of the products where milk was neither stated as an ingredient nor where the label included a warning that there may be possible traces of milk. These finds were particularly common among chocolate and bakery products.

-        This result implies that thousands of children and adults who are allergic to milk in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden risk an allergic reaction to every fourth chocolate product and every twentieth bakery product, where milk is not included in the list of ingredients. “It is extremely important for companies to understand that milk allergies can cause just as severe reactions as with peanuts and nuts,” explains Ylva Sjögren Bolin.

It is essential for people with allergies to be able to trust labels, so that they are not exposed to unnecessary risk. Nordic producers and importers of food products have to understand the seriousness of this situation, and make sure their labels are correct

 

Chocolate and bakery products

The study showed that there is much room for improvement in the food industry when it comes to procedures for labelling, purchasing of ingredients and handling allergens. This applies in particular to the producers and importers of chocolate and bakery products. The results of the study also show that certain chocolate products labelled with the warning “may contain traces of milk, hazelnuts or peanuts” contained such high levels that they would cause an allergic reaction among 50% of people with allergies. It may therefore be necessary for people with allergies to avoid chocolate products that have such a warning on the label.

Nordic food control authorities hope that this project may help increase awareness in the industry. At the same time, there is potential for improvement via the development of EU legislation regarding labels with the warning “May contain traces of...”, so that such a warning can only be used when genuinely necessary.

Mads Frederik Fischer-Møller, Senior Consultant on food issues at the Nordic Council of Ministers (the organisation that funded the report), also underlines the value of Nordic cooperation on this issue.

-        By implementing a Nordic project rather than a national project, we have been able to produce a high quality report that is worth the investment made and that encompasses the reality of the situation in several countries at the same time. The report will help numerous food controllers and authorities throughout the Nordic countries, and provide them with a tool for their further efforts on the issue of food labelling.