Managing Food Allergens in the U.K. Retail Supply Chain

Abstract

The U.K. food and grocery market is highly significant financially and dominated by 10 retailers within a regulated and extremely economically competitive environment. We summarize the approach of U.K. retailers to allergen risk assessment (RA) and risk management (RM) within the U.K. legal framework and explore public visibility of retailers' allergen policies. RA and RM of allergens appear effective in curtailing retail-triggered severe food allergy reactions. However, allergen recalls remain high, precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) remains an area of confusion, and there is no consistent Web-based provision of information for consumers who have allergies. Resolution of PAL awaits an agreed-on threshold framework, but a key challenge is to engage with patients and gain their trust rather than thrust education at them. It would be helpful for retailers to publish their allergen RA and RM policies. A target should be agreed on between government and retailers for a reduction in the proliferation of PAL wording variants by a given date within the next 3 years. A further hurdle is potentially flawed allergen analysis-development of reference methods and reference materials are acknowledged needs. Laboratories should report allergen results in an informative manner, communicating uncertainty and caveats. Ideally a laboratory representative would be included on any incident control team. Efforts must continue to standardize preparedness for protecting and defending food and drink from deliberate attack.

The stakeholder's roles in risk management related to food supply chain recalls: a systematic literature review

“…, 2017). In addition, distributors must also have well-tested incident control procedures that allow quick decisions and actions, as well as systems that allow actions to be simultaneous and consistent (Walker et al. , 2018).…”

“…These stakeholders are responsible for performing actions aimed at proper packaging of products in storage, traceability and control of storage specifications (Sun et al, 2017). In addition, distributors must also have well-tested incident control procedures that allow quick decisions and actions, as well as systems that allow actions to be simultaneous and consistent (Walker et al, 2018).…”

Introduction of highly effective proactive food safety management programs into food distribution channels: For safe food labeling and safe advertisements

“…It is a serious matter that, for example, causes quarantine conflicts if the geographical information is not properly marked (Dias & Mendes, ; Park, Kim, You, You, Kim, et al, ). Proper marking of allergy ingredients is directly related to consumer health (AIB International, ; Allen & Taylor, ; Barnett et al, ; British Retail Consortium [BRC], ; Chilled Food Association, ; Padua, Moreira, Moreira, & Barros, ; Yeung & Robert, ; Walker, Gowland, & Points, ). Appropriate indications of ingredients and content (Table , checklist clause 4) are related to food fraud (Creydt & Fischer, ).…”

“…It is a serious matter that, for example, causes quarantine conflicts if the geographical information is not properly marked (Dias & Mendes, 2018;. Proper marking of allergy ingredients is directly related to consumer health (AIB International, 2014; Allen & Taylor, 2018; Barnett et al, 2011;British Retail Consortium [BRC], 2011;Chilled Food Association, 2006;Padua, Moreira, Moreira, & Barros, 2016;Yeung & Robert, 2018;Walker, Gowland, & Points, 2018 (Addo Ntim et al, 2018). Food contact materials are related to consumer product usage and must be properly indicated (Janjarasskul & Suppakul, 2018).…”

“I want to really crack this nut”: an analysis of parent-perceived policy needs surrounding food allergy

“…The United Kingdom [ 10 ], Canada [ 11 ], Australia and New Zealand [ 12 ] and the European Union [ 13 ], have detailed guidelines to support those living with food allergy. In many of these regions, allergy-related food recalls remain high [ 14 ], as many as 30% of products have undergone risk assessment screening, yet carry no precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) [ 15 ], and consumers remain unclear about PAL [ 14 , 16 ]. Yet, while patients’ voices are critical in food allergy research [ 17 ], little is known about how those directly affected by food allergy perceive current guidelines and gaps.…”