Free-from Guidance Released for Retailers and Producers

The BRC has worked with the Food and Drink Federation, Coeliac UK and Anaphylaxis Campaign to produce the guide in order to regulate free-from claims on food and drink packaging – currently, there are no specific rules at UK or EU level to govern these claims and make them consistent across the industry.

Following the publication of this guide, all food labels must be substantiated and reliable to be considered safe for consumers.

Andrea Martinez-Inchausti, BRC’s deputy food director said, “A ‘free-from’ claim cannot be taken lightly. 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.”

Chief Scientist / Policy and Sustainability Director at the Food and Drink Federation Barbara Gallani said, “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.

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.”

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