Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has launched a new food allergy alert service, offering consumers on-the-go updates on missing or incorrect allergen information on food labels.
The free service, available through the FSS homepage, gives the option to receive specific alerts via text message or email on issues involving any of the 14 allergens that must be declared on labelling in the UK.
Head of Food Standards Scotland’s Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit, Ron McNaughton, said:
“Food allergies can significantly impact people’s quality of life, and Food Standards Scotland is here to make sure people with food allergies or intolerances have the information they need to make informed choices.
“We work closely with local authorities, food businesses, and the Food Standards Agency to make people in Scotland aware of any allergen information issues and we’d urge anyone with a food allergy in Scotland to sign up for tailored food allergy alerts by text or email. People can access the new service from the foodstandards.gov.scot homepage.
“We’re pleased the World Allergy Organization is putting the global problem of food allergies in the spotlight with World Allergy Week.”
The launch recent consumer research commissioned by FSS that showed 15% of people surveyed either have a food allergy themselves or have someone in their household with a food allergy.
Nurse Advisor at Allergy UK, Holly Shaw, said:
“Making safe choices is an important part of day-to-day living with a food allergy.
“Alert services like this are a great way of communicating information that enable the food allergic person to stay informed and safe.”
