Food Allergy Awareness is Everybody's Business

Food Allergy Awareness is Everybody's Business

The NSW Food Authority has thrown its support behind Food Allergy Awareness Week, 16-22 May, in an effort to remind consumers and industry of the importance of understanding the role of food labels in protecting against allergic reaction.

NSW Food Authority CEO Mr Alan Coutts said the State Government's food safety body works tirelessly in an effort to protect the consumers of NSW.

"The NSW Food Authority has an important role in trying to make sure food labels comply with national standards so consumers can safely choose products that will not impact their health," Mr Coutts said.
"Knowledge is power and the consumers of NSW have every right to make their food choices safe in the knowledge they are labelled truthfully and correctly.
"The Food Act and Food Standards Code also requires all food businesses in NSW, including cafes and restaurants, to provide information about the ingredients contained in their food."

Food businesses are required to display information about allergens next to food provided for sale or provide information about food allergens contained in food if requested by a customer.

"While many people are aware of food allergies, they may not have an understanding of just how devastating and far reaching the impact of food allergies can be," Mr Coutts said.
"Allergic reactions can range from mild to extreme, and in the worst instance can lead to death. It is vital for people living with food allergies to be able to rely on food labels to accurately assess the risk."

There are eight food groups that account for up to 90 per cent of all allergic reactions to food, these include:
Peanuts and peanut products
Tree nuts and tree nut products
Egg and egg products
Milk and milk products
Fish and fish products
Crustacea and their products
Sesame seeds and their products
Soybeans and their products

Mr Coutts said NSW food businesses needed to understand that mislabelling of food would not be tolerated.

"Just last month the NSW Food Authority fined a company almost $10,000 for falsely labelling food that contained peanuts," Mr Coutts said.
"The law requires the main eight food allergens be declared on the food label and we will continue to enforce that requirement."

Anyone with a concern about food labelling is urged to contact the NSW Food Authority Helpline on 1300 552 406.