New BRC standard gets tough on allergen management

The new version of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) global standard will contain far more detail on allergen management, bosses have promised.

While allergen management has always been part of the BRC standard, many manufacturers, retailers and lobby groups such as the Anaphylaxis Campaign have criticised it for being short on detail, and in some cases, set up their own standards and certification schemes, acknowledged BRC director of global standards Dr Geoff Spriegel.

“We do recognise that the allergens area of the standard was a bit light, so we have significantly expanded the sections on physical segregation, exclusive equipment, labelling procedures, training, cleaning regimes, changeovers and rework. We also recognise that auditors will have to receive specialised training so that they can identify the issues and problems when they visit factories.”

While the new standard would be published in January 2008, it would not be applied until the summer, which left time for auditors to receive additional training, he said.

Speaking at a recent conference on healthy foods, Asda process manager for own-label Phil Dalton complained that the current BRC standard was “not detailed or specific enough” and “far too superficial” when it came to allergen management.

“In the absence of any standardised system”, Asda had launched its own supplier certification and auditing scheme to underpin its new own-label range of free-from products, he said. “We wanted to be absolutely sure that the proper controls were in place.”

The 50-strong range will be launched in January. The certification scheme, meanwhile, could be rolled out right across Asda’s supplier base in future, added Dalton.