Individuals with dairy and fish allergies are cautioned against assuming the safety of vegan products without meticulous label scrutiny, as these items may contain animal derivatives due to cross-contamination.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has initiated a public awareness campaign following revelations from its research indicating that 62% of individuals in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland with allergic reactions to animal-based products, or those purchasing for such individuals, wrongly believe that vegan products are invariably safe for consumption.
The campaign aims to educate allergy sufferers about the importance of scrutinizing labels for precautionary statements such as “may contain,” signaling potential allergen presence.
Emily Miles, Chief Executive of the FSA, expressed concern over the misconception, stating, “It’s concerning that so many people who are allergic to milk, eggs, fish, and crustaceans or molluscs believe food labeled as vegan is safe for them to eat because they assume it doesn’t contain products of animal origin.”
She further explained, “Unfortunately, the reality of food production means there is still a risk of cross-contamination with animal-based allergens in vegan and plant-based products if produced in the same factory as animal-based products.”
Recent findings revealed nearly two dozen foods labeled as vegan contained animal products, prompting experts to caution individuals with severe allergies about potential “tragic consequences.” Authorities in trading standards called for legal safeguards to prevent consumers from being “exploited by unethical food businesses.”
The FSA campaign distinguishes between a “free-from” label, a food safety indicator, and a vegan or plant-based label. While vegan labels signify dietary preferences and are devoid of animal products intentionally, they may still be processed alongside animal-derived items like eggs or milk. Free-from foods, however, undergo stringent procedures to eliminate cross-contamination risks.
In issuing a free-from label, food businesses must adhere to strict protocols to ensure absence of the allergen they claim to exclude.
Three prominent UK allergy charities—Allergy UK, Anaphylaxis UK, and the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation—jointly underscored the challenges faced by individuals with food allergies in choosing safe food options.
Claire Ogley from the Vegan Society emphasized the significance of clear and accurate labeling for individuals adhering to a vegan diet, particularly those with food allergies. She clarified, “Our vegan trademark signifies adherence to our rigorous standards and efforts to minimize cross-contamination. Nonetheless, consumers should understand that a vegan label does not guarantee allergen-free status.”
The FSA recently updated its food labeling technical guidance for food businesses, advising them to incorporate a precautionary allergen label (PAL) alongside a vegan label if cross-contamination cannot be ruled out.
