What are the best practices for verifying food allergen labeling on private label products?

1 Know your ingredients

The first step to verify food allergen labeling is to know your ingredients and their sources. You should obtain accurate and up-to-date information from your suppliers about the presence and potential cross-contamination of food allergens in the raw materials, additives, and processing aids that you use. You should also review the specifications and certificates of analysis of your ingredients and ensure that they match your expectations and requirements. If you have any doubts or changes in your ingredients, you should communicate with your suppliers and customers promptly and update your records accordingly.

2 Follow your customers' standards

The second step to verify food allergen labeling is to follow your customers' standards and expectations. Different customers may have different requirements and preferences for how to label food allergens on their products, depending on their target markets, regulations, and policies. You should consult with your customers and understand their expectations and specifications for food allergen labeling, such as the format, language, font size, location, and symbols of the allergen statements. You should also adhere to their guidelines and procedures for approving and revising labels and for handling any issues or complaints related to food allergen labeling.

3 Design clear and compliant labels

The third step to verify food allergen labeling is to design clear and compliant labels that reflect the accurate and complete information about the food allergens in your products. You should use the common or usual names of the food allergens and avoid any ambiguous or misleading terms. You should also follow the relevant regulations and standards of the countries or regions where your products are sold, such as the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) in the US, the Food Information for Consumers Regulation (FIC) in the EU, or the Food Standards Code in Australia and New Zealand. You should also check the labels for any errors or inconsistencies before printing and applying them to your products.

6 Stay updated and informed

The sixth and final step to verify food allergen labeling is to stay updated and informed on the latest developments and trends in food allergen labeling. You should keep track of any changes or updates in the regulations and standards of food allergen labeling in the countries or regions where your products are sold or exported. You should also follow the best practices and recommendations of the industry associations, professional organizations, and experts in food allergen labeling. You should also monitor the consumer feedback and market demand for your products and adjust your food allergen labeling accordingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?