It looks like the issue of the allergen labelling claim ‘may contain’ has reared up again, although maybe it has never gone away.
The FSA are going to be conducting a research survey probably late 2011 into 2012 looking at the extent of the ‘may contain’ label.
The survey is in response to concern over the way products are labelled and the perceived view that ‘may contain’ can be used as a substitute for proper risk assessment, hazard analysis and control.
The work will be undertaken on Chocolate, Milk and Biscuit type products to look at the use and wording of the ‘may contain’ label.
There will also be quantitative measurement of the levels of milk, peanut and hazelnut allergens in the products
The aim is to provide data on the how the label data and allergy risk actually correlate; results from the study will then be used to guide future labelling.
The full article can be seen at.
http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Food-Safety/FSA-to-launch-probe-into-may-contains-labelling
FoodWorld 