Investigating Food Allergen Labeling in Commercially Packaged Food Products

Background: In ۲۰۱۷, Turkey introduced Turkish Food Codex Regulation on labeling and providing food information to customers, which has been revised on a regular basis ever since. The purpose of this study was to survey food allergen information regarding foods and beverages sold in Turkey and the extent to which food allergens and precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) are emphasized in the products. Method: Thirteen food and drink categories were reviewed in five physical food stores and three online stores. A total of ۱,۰۱۰ foods and beverages were checked for allergens according to their labels. Results: ۱,۱۱۶ allergenic foods were identified in ۵۹.۷% of foods and beverages,. Gluten-containing cereals were clearly labelled in every food category, and milk received the highest number of declarations (۳۰.۵۵%), followed by gluten (۲۷.۴۲%), and tree nuts (۹.۶۷%). Snacks contained the most number of allergens (۱۴.۸%), followed by dairy products (۱۳.۸%), and baked products (۱۲.۴%). Conclusions: Accurate and understandable food allergy labeling is essential in avoiding food allergies. Food allergy labeling legislation especially The EU Regulation No. ۱۱۶۹/۲۰۱۱ establishes uniform rules for allergen labeling, which is one of the most stringent food regulations in the world. Current allergen labeling restrictions and policies need to be improved to reduce the risk of food hypersensitivity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Food allergy ، Food labelling ، Food legislation ، Food packaging