The new law will offer increased protection and confidence for consumers living with a food allergy. On pack information will include the 14 ‘most common’ allergens specifically listed in food information law, as well as other ingredients, which can trigger reactions.
Mairi Gougeon, Public Health Minister, said: “I welcome that Scotland is moving forward and making these important changes. Everyone wants to understand more about what is in their food and we want to give them increased confidence about the food that they buy.
“Having information about allergens and ingredients upfront on the labels of all pre-wrapped food is crucial for people who have food allergies and I am pleased that we are making real progress here.”
The new law is intended to come into force on 1 October 2021 to align with the rest of the UK.
Food Standards Scotland will work closely with the Food Standards Agency to publish information to ensure that businesses of all sizes throughout the UK can prepare and adapt to these changes.
Ross Finnie, chair of Food Standards Scotland, added: “The implementation of this new law supports the strong consumer call for complete allergen and ingredient information on PPDS foods, making life easier for many who need to have clarity and trust in the food they buy for safety and dietary reasons.
“This level of transparency is a significant step forward in providing clear information for people with allergies, which can be life threatening if they consume food to which they are allergic.
“While the best level of consumer protection is vital, we recognise that changing labelling requirements will affect businesses, and have carried out extensive stakeholder engagement across industry and enforcement authorities to assess the benefits, risks and impacts.”