European regulation no. 1169/2011

Since December 13, 2014, the European Union Regulation No. 1169/2011 came into force, which substantially amended the laws in force to date about food information that must be provided to consumers, including the requirements and information on allergens that the labeling must contain.

This regulation regulates how it must be and what information food products must show, such as mandatory instructions on allergens, how the labeling of unpackaged products must be carried out, what information the labeling of foods composed of ingredients that may cause intolerances or allergies in sensitive people must contain, in addition to the additional information that the entity wishes to voluntarily show.

Purpose and scope of application:

• This regulation takes into account the differences between consumer perception and their actual information needs, laying the foundations with respect to food information, to ensure a high level of consumer protection.

• It determines the requirements, responsibilities and general principles to be followed for the management of mandatory food information, especially how it should be carried out and what information should be contained in product labeling.

• It will be applied to all operators of food processing entities working at any stage of the handling and manufacturing process, and whose function in the entity is linked in any way to the information provided to consumers.

• In addition, it will be applied to all food products destined to consumers, including also those sent to mass caterers and those sent for the supply of mass caterers.

Important aspects of the regulation: Any processing aid or ingredient derived from a substance that may cause allergic reactions or intolerances to consumers, will have to:

• Be informed in the list of ingredients, clearly indicating the name of the allergenic substance.

• A typography should be used that allows the name of the allergenic substance to stand out, so that it can be easily differentiated from the other ingredients of the product.

• The following format "contains + the name of the substance" should be used to indicate the presence of allergenic substances in those products where there is no list of ingredients.

• It will not be mandatory to inform in the product labeling the allergenic substances it contains, in those cases in which the product name already makes clear mention of the allergenic substance.

• The list of substances or foods that may cause intolerances or allergic reactions will be periodically reviewed and updated by the European Commission.

• The way in which the voluntary indication of "may contain" shall be applied shall be established by the European Commission.

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