During the UK Food Standards Authority’s (FSA’s) December 13 board meeting, the Board decided that it will write to UK Ministers to discuss written allergen information requirements for foodservice establishments. In the meantime, FSA will develop guidance for industry on providing written allergen information to increase compliance and enhance food safety for allergic consumers.

The Board also acknowledged that, in addition to written information, there should exist an expectation for a verbal conversation to take place between customers and business staff about allergen risks of non-prepacked foods.

FSA thanked the Carey family for bringing to light the issue of allergen awareness in the non-prepacked food sector, who has advocated for change since their son Owen died in 2017 after consuming food that triggered an allergic reaction, unaware of the danger the product posed to him.