The food trade should provide correct prepackaged food labels and check all aspects of their operations to avoid introducing unidentified allergens, Centre for Food Safety Community Medicine Consultant Dr Ho Yuk-yin says.

He told radio listeners today the 36-month grace period of the Food & Drugs (Composition & Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation will expire on July 9.

The new law requires the declaration on prepackaged food labels the presence of the eight most common allergy causing substances - cereals containing gluten, crustaceans and crustacean products, eggs and egg products, fish and fish products, milk and milk products (including lactose), tree nuts and nut products, sulphite, and peanuts, soybeans and their products. These allergens account for more than 90% of all food allergic reactions.

Preventive measures

Noting allergens may come from raw materials or come from cross-contamination during production, Dr Ho urged the food trade to take preventive measures, such as thorough cleaning of production lines, to control unidentified allergens or amend labels to indicate the possible presence of allergens.

On the study on undeclared peanut and tree nut allergens in prepackaged foods, Dr Ho said it aimed to remind the food trade about the new requirements. Among the 53 samples of biscuits, cakes, chocolates, bread spreads, ice-cream, frozen foods, and cereal products tested, peanut and tree nuts were detected in 18 samples. The food trade has been reminded to address the labelling issue before the grace period expires.

Dr Ho said different laboratory analysis methods will be adopted before taking any prosecution action. The maximum penalty for violating the regulation is a $50,000 fine and six months' jail.