The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is campaigning to raise awareness of the cross-contamination risks that food labelled as ‘vegan’ could pose to people who have allergies to animal-based ingredients.

The campaign follows new research from the FSA, which found that 62% of consumers who react to animal-based ingredients – or who buy for someone who does – are confident that products labelled ‘vegan’ are safe to eat.

Vegan labelling has been used by 54% of those who react to products of animal origin to indicate whether a packaged food is safe to eat ‘at least sometimes,’ according to the report.

Additionally, 29% of respondents from the above categories reported being unaware that they should check for a precautionary allergen label on vegan products to inform their decision.

In response to the study, the FSA’s campaign encourages people with allergies – such as to milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans or molluscs – to always check for a precautionary allergen statement, such as ‘may contain,’ on products with ‘vegan’ labelling.

The campaign also explains how a free-from label, which is a food safety label, is different to a vegan or plant-based label. Vegan labels are used to support a dietary choice, and do not intentionally contain products of animal origin. However, vegan food could still be prepared in areas alongside products such as egg, milk, fish, crustaceans or molluscs, whereas free-from foods are not.

To use a free-from label, food businesses must follow strict processes to eliminate risks of cross-contamination, to ensure that they do not contain any of the allergen they are claiming to be free-from.

Emily Miles, CEO of the FSA, said: “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”.

“That is why, through our ‘Vegan Food and Allergens Campaign,’ we are urging people to always check for a label such as ‘may contain’ and have a conversation about their allergens with food servers and businesses.”

The campaign is being supported by three UK allergen charities: Allergy UK, Anaphylaxis UK and the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.

The FSA recently updated its food labelling technical guidance for food businesses and industry. It now advises businesses to use a precautionary allergen label alongside a vegan label, if cross-contamination cannot be ruled out.

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