Trade bodies give guidance on use of 'free-from' claims

The document gives advice on what must be considered before making a ‘free-from’ claim on a product.

At present, with the exception of ‘gluten-free’, there are no rules at UK or EU level governing the use of ‘free-from’ claims, and neither is there publicly available guidance on making such claims.

Pooled expertise​

The two trade associations said they pooled their expertise to produce easy-to-use guidance with the aim of ensuring ‘free-from’ claims were applied accurately and consistently.

In addition to helping business operators know when and how to label, the guidance also provides an overview of UK and EU legislation and key things to consider with regard to manufacturing practices and when carrying out a risk assessment.

BRC deputy food director Andrea Martinez-Inchausti said: “A 'free-from' claim cannot be taken lightly. A small manufacturer can now confidently understand whether producing a ‘free-from’​ product is within its capability. It will also result in more consistency, which means more consumer trust.”​

FDF guidance​

Barbara Gallani, chief scientist and policy and sustainability director at the FDF, said: “This guidance on ‘free-from’, which follows on from the publication earlier this year of FDF's Gluten Labelling Guidance, is going to provide food businesses with key information on legal requirements, risk assessment and consumer expectations.​

“We are pleased that our long-standing collaboration with the BRC, Anaphylaxis Campaign and Coeliac UK is continuing to deliver useful advice to businesses and more consistent labelling for consumers.”​

The guidance document can be viewed here​.