BRC, FDF launch free-from guidance

23 Nov 2015

The BRC (British Retail Council) and the FDF the UK’s Food and Drink Federation) are launching a guidance document which provides essential advice on what must be considered before making a 'free-from' claim on a product.

The BRC (British Retail Council) and the FDF the UK’s Food and Drink Federation) with the support of Anaphylaxis Campaign and Coeliac UK are launching a guidance document which provides food manufacturers, retailers and enforcement authorities with essential advice on what must be considered before making a 'free-from' claim on a product.

At present, with the exception of 'gluten-free', there are no specific rules at either UK or EU level governing the use of 'free-from' claims, neither is there any publically available guidance for businesses on making such claims. For this reason the BRC and FDF have pooled their expertise to produce an easy-to-use guidance for food business operators, large and small, with the aim of ensuring that 'free-from' claims are applied both accurately and consistently across the whole food industry. All food labels, including 'free from', must be substantiated and reliable if they are to be safe for consumers.

In addition to helping business operators know when and how to label, the guidance also provides a useful overview of relevant UK and EU legislation and key things to consider with regard to appropriate manufacturing practices and also when carrying out a risk assessment.

“A 'free-from' claim cannot be taken lightly,” said the BRC's Deputy Food Director, Andrea Martinez-Inchausti. “A small manufacturer could now confidently understand whether producing a 'free-from' product is within their capability. It will also result in more consistency which means more consumer trust as acknowledged in the foreword to the Guidance by FSA Chief Executive Catherine Brown.”

“This Guidance on 'free-from', which follows on from the publication earlier this year of FDF's Gluten Labelling Guidance, is going to provide food businesses with key information on legal requirements, risk assessment and consumer expectations,” said Policy and Sustainability Director at the Food and Drink Federation Barbara Gallani. “We are pleased that our long standing collaboration with the British Retail Consortium, Anaphylaxis Campaign and Coeliac UK is continuing to deliver useful advice to businesses and ultimately more consistent labelling for consumers.”