Food labelling rules are changing in October - sign up to a FREE webinar to find out how it affects your business
Businesses throughout the region who sell or serve food prepared on the premises can learn more about the changes in food labelling legislation at two free webinars.
Hosted by Heart of the South West Growth Hub, Better Business for All, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards and Devon and Plymouth Chamber, the first webinar take place on July 8 and will be repeated the following week on the July 15.
They are open to all businesses in the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Area – Devon, Somerset, Torbay, Devon, and Plymouth – as well as those based in Cornwall, Dorset, Bath and North East Somerset and Bristol.
In the South West in 2018/2019 there was a 48 per cent increase in allergen related complaints – this webinar will help business owners understand how to control allergens in the food that they serve.
In the UK about ten people die every year from food-induced anaphylaxis – in 2019 trading standards purchased food from multiple outlets, which had been described by the premises as not containing one or more of the 14 most recognised allergens.
Laboratory tests revealed that a third of the products tested were incorrectly described and contained at least one undisclosed allergen.
Currently foods which are made, packed, and sold on the same premises are not required to show ingredients or allergy information on the product label.
This will change in October 2021 and the law will require businesses to provide a full ingredients list with allergenic ingredients emphasised within it when labelling foods pre-packed for direct sale.
Those that do not could be prosecuted.
The webinars will help businesses understand what their responsibilities are and where they can obtain support and guidance, and will include:
- How to identify allergens if you sell/offer pre-packed for direct sale foods and what the new legislation will requires
- Practical advice on identifying allergens in ingredients and the use of “may contain”.
- Links to additional support tools, advice, and step-by-step guidance.
- Changes to allergen labelling requirements in October 2021.
- A chance to ask questions to get specific advice relating to your business.
The webinars will be approximately one hour long, including a panel of expert speakers from Trading Standards and Environmental Health with a Q&A and will take place on Zoom.
Paul Thomas, the Head of Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards said: “If you are a business who sells food it is vital that you have a thorough understanding of the changes in legislation and how it impacts on your business – the health of your business and of your customers depends on it. These free webinars will answer any questions you may have and if you need additional guidance, will signpost you to where you can obtain that extra support.”
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member for Economy, skills and Trading Standards, said: "I encourage any business who sells pre-packed food to sign up to one of these webinars. By doing so you will have the chance to listen to expert speakers and understand what your responsibilities are when the legislation comes into force and where to obtain support if you need it.”
The events are on Thursday, 8 July 2021, 10pm to 11pm and Thursday, 15 July 2021, 3pm to 4pm.
To book your place go to:
Allergen Awareness Webinar Tickets, Thu 8 Jul 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
Allergen Awareness Webinar Tickets, Thu 15 Jul 2021 at 15:00 | Eventbrite
Once registered you will receive joining instructions.
