Allergens : The Silent Invisible Killers
SOFTWARE & SYSTEMS ACCURATE LABELLING
HARFORD CONTROL
Allergens : The Silent Invisible Killers
Natasha ’ s Law , passed in 2019 after the tragic death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse in 2016 , as a result of a severe allergic reaction to sesame oil in a baguette , came into effect on 1st October 2021 to allow manufacturers and retailers time to comply with the new labelling requirements . Natasha had a known sesame allergy and was careful when selecting food . Despite believing she had chosen an allergen-free sandwich , she suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction to the sesame oil baked into the baguette , which was not listed on the label , and sadly died later that day .
Other examples of tragedies include Celia Marsh , who suffered anaphylactic shock after eating a “ dairy-free ” super-veg rainbow flatbread from Pret A Manger , which contained traces of milk protein , leading to her collapse and subsequent death .
A further example is that of teenager Megan Lee , who died after suffering a severe allergic reaction to nuts contained in a takeaway meal in 2016 .
Ten Deaths Per Year
Though there are only approximately ten deaths in the UK from food allergies each year , the effect of allergic reactions is much wider . Hospital admissions due to serious allergic reactions , caused by food , have more than tripled over the past 20 years . Despite this , deaths from food-induced anaphylaxis have decreased during the same period ( ref . The BMJ Today ).
It is possible that the increase in food varieties and other factors may be contributing to the rise of food-related allergies , with reported cases even extending beyond the 14 known allergen groups ( e . g . kiwi fruit ).
In the UK , around 2 million people have food allergies , and there has been a four-fold increase in prescriptions for adrenaline auto-injectors like Epipen in the last two decades . About 10 % of adults and children have a food sensitivity , with
Millions worldwide suffer from food allergies , with up to 8 % incidence among young children .
20 % of the population experiencing some form of reaction to food , suggesting a food hypersensitivity . On average , two school children per class in the UK have food allergies .
A Huge Global Problem
Millions worldwide suffer from food allergies , with up to 8 % incidence among young children . In England and Wales alone during 2021 , over 7,000 businesses were found to misdescribe or not declare allergens in their food . ( Trading Standards Review , 2022 Winter edition ) Despite Natasha ’ s Law being in effect for over a year , only 37 % of Britons find allergen labelling easy to understand , while 48 % are unsure and 15 % lack confidence in them . ( Mintel )
Deaths from Food Allergy are Totally Avoidable
The number of annual deaths in the UK due to food allergies is still low ( 10 on average ), but even one death is too many . Addressing this issue consistently can also
reduce the suffering of those with less serious allergic reactions . However , as a consumer , I am not aware of significant changes since the introduction of Natasha ’ s Law . Manufacturers still rely heavily on emboldened allergen information on packaging , and many fast-food outlets have made few changes .
Incorrect Packaging
What if pre-packaged products with allergens emboldened on the packet use the wrong packaging , and the label doesn ’ t include the allergens ? In a recent survey of 14 UK supermarket chains , only 3 showed improvement in reducing incorrect labelling .
Problems caused by inaccurate labelling for pre-packers are easy to solve with a modest investment . It will come as no surprise to many to learn that this is one of Harford Control ’ s specialities .
Share your packaging control concerns with us and we will help eliminate your future risks permanently .
For further information , please visit www . harfordcontrol . com
128 PECM Issue 62