Sir
I write with reference to a recent article, 'Allergen-related product recalls soar', on your website. Although allergen alerts are in the news, there's no evidence the number of product recalls due to mislabelling of allergens is increasing. In 2007, the first year that reporting allergen alerts to the FSA was compulsory, there were 61 alerts, compared with 51 incidents reported in 2006.
There are a vast number of products on the market and many different allergens across all product categories. The task of monitoring and reporting all these is a mammoth one. The majority of retailers and brand owners have now moved from paper-based to web-based reporting systems, enabling them to turn around product assessments more effectively.
They take this very seriously. As new and efficient assessment systems are set in place, it's likely the long-term trend of product recall incidents will be downwards, not upwards. The current situation, where it seems we are getting nearly one allergen-based recall every day, can be seen as testament to the effectiveness of the FSA reporting requirements.
International food safety and assurance company CMi runs a Trading Law specification clearing house. It turns around fast and accurate labels based on minute scrutiny of product constituents on behalf of customers. In the two years since starting this service, none of our clients has suffered an allergen-based recall. As systems improve, consumers can be more assured of safer food - not less, as your article suggests.
Ellis Northover
trading law manager
CMi