Specified allergenic ingredients - commonly asked questions

(for England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

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There is a list of 12 specific food allergens including eggs, fish, peanuts and milk. In general, prepacked food and drink are required to have these specified allergens identified in the labelling. Where the allergenic ingredient is clearly identified in the name of the food, eg 'prawn cocktail', or it is similarly identified in the 'ingredients' list by the use of its name, no further information is required. When labelling, best practice advice is for plain language to be used in the listing of ingredients, eg 'milk protein' rather than 'casein'.

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