Regulations

📃 Allergen Identification Requirements

In the UK, allergen labelling is governed by both UK and retained EU legislation (which still applies in some cases even after Brexit, but UK-specific changes may occur over time) with updates from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Any of the 14 major allergens must be clearly declared, regardless of how small the amount used.

The 14 major allergens (must be declared and emphasised)

🌾 Cereals containing gluten (wheat, barley, oats, and rye)

🦐 Crustaceans

🥚 Eggs

🐟 Fish

🥜 Peanuts

🫘 Soybeans

🥛 Milk

🌰 Nuts

🥬 Celery

🍯 Mustard

🧂 Sesame seeds

🍷 Sulphur dioxide and sulphites

🪻 Lupin

🐚 Molluscs

🔎 Gluten Labelling Requirements

If a product contains any form of gluten (wheat, barley, rye, oats), the ingredient must:

• Be clearly listen in the ingredients list
• Have the allergen emphasised each time it appears (e.g. bold, underline, or contrasting colours🌈)

Many products also include an Allergen Advice Statement, but it isn't always an indication of whether that item does or doesn't contain gluten.

"Allergen advice: for allergens including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in BOLD."

🧪 Gluten Free Labelling Standards

In order to be labelled as 'Gluten Free' or have a gluten free symbol, including the crossed grain symbol, a product must:

• Contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten
• Meet the Codex Alimentarius standard for gluten free foods
• Be suitable for most people with coeliac disease r gluten intolerance

👉🏽 Read more about gluten free statements and the Crossed Grain symbol here

⚠️ Cross-Contamination & Precautionary Labelling (PAL)

When there's a risk of cross-contamination during production, manufacturers are encouraged to use Precautionary Allergen Labelling, such as:

"May contain gluten"

PAL should only be used when a real risk is present and must align with FSA guidelines. For people with coeliac disease, even tiny traces of gluten can cause harm, so products with 'may contain gluten' warnings should be avoided.

👉🏻 Read more about PAL and cross-contamination here

⚖️ Legal Enforcement

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Trading Standards enforce food labelling laws in the UK. They:

• Monitor and inspect manufacturers
• Investigate complaints and unsafe products
• Can issue fines, demand product recalls, or take other legal actions if allergen labelling laws are breached

🌍 International Labelling Differences

Allergen labelling laws differ worldwide:

• 🇦🇺 Australia - Zero-tolerance policy - gluten free means no detectable gluten
• 🇺🇸 USA - Focusses on wheat labelling, not all gluten sources
• 🇨🇦 Canada- Similar to the US, with some wheat-specific rules

Products labelled 'gluten free' abroad might not meet UK standards, so always check the label when travelling or ordering from overseas. Check out our Country guides for help label reading when travelling abroad.