Food and Drink Labeling Legislation
The following challenges face all food and drink manufacturers in relation to labelling:
European Food Information to Consumers Regulation No 1169/2011 (FIC) and the Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR)
These were introduced in the UK in 2014 and the legislation was implemented over 2 years and completed in December 2016. The requirements of this legislation are now mandatory.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and Traffic Light labelling.
This is still an optional requirement but is referred in the legislation. It is, however, a retailer requirement in many cases.
Traceability
It is a legal requirement to have systems of traceability in place.
Allergens
Failure to declare allergens remains to be the main reason for product recall. Having detailed specifications and supplier approval are key to ensuring compliance.
The following areas contribute to ensuring the manufacture of a safe and legal product:
Supply Chain Integrity
Substantiating Food claims
Vulnerability Assessments
Outsource Solution provides assistance with these complex areas of labelling.
We undertake labelling compliance verification exercises for manufacturers to fulfill the retailer’s requirements. This involves nutritional labelling reviews. For the last 15 years we have been auditing these requirements through BRC, Organic and Voluntary Labelling Schemes.
We carry out both training and seminars in these areas.
Vulnerability Assessment - TACCP / VACCP
These are all terms which are being used in relation to suppliers of raw materials. The principles and the formation of a plan is logical and beneficial to a business. The supply chain can often be long and complicated and sometimes the full extent of the supply chain unknown particularly with imported items.
The main concerns are adulteration, substituion, dilution, fraudulant claims and undeclared allergens. It is necessary to fully understanding the supply chain through robust traceability and mass balance procedures and then applying a risk based approach to the assessment of all stake holders. By doing this it will protect a business's commercial interests, prevent expensive and damaging recalls and illness and injury claims. Raw material supply should form part of a business continuity plan.
Outsource Solution specialises in all areas of the food supply chain.
