Food Protection Trends - July/August 2013 - (Page 232)

PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE Food Protection Trends, Vol 33, No. 4, p. 232–239 Copyright©2013, International Association for Food Protection 6200 Aurora Ave., Suite 200W, Des Moines, IA 50322-2864 Food Safety Performance: Labeling and Indications of Allergens STEVE BALAzIC,1 ANNE WILCOCK,*2 ARTHUR HILL1 AND SYLVAIN CHARLEBOIS2 dept. of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 1 dept. of Marketing and Consumer Studies, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 2 ABSTRACT Globalization of trade within the food industry has increased consumer expectations for food safety and transparency of product information. As a result, the need to benchmark transnational food safety-related policies and practices has increased over the past decade. This study compares and contrasts national food labeling and indication of allergen regimes for pre-packaged foods in 16 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Information was collected from government web sites, academic journals, trade magazines, and direct contact with representatives of government and professional organizations. Three metrics are common to the 16 countries in this study: name of food, list of ingredients, and indications of food additives. In the U.S., the “use by” or “made on” date is required for some baby foods. Australia, Canada and the U.S. require nutritional information on their labels; in OECD/EU nations, it is mandatory only when a nutrition claim is made. Australia, Canada, Japan and the U.S. must include the country of origin, which is voluntary in the other OECD/ EU nations unless its absence could mislead consumers. The OECD/EU nations require only the name/address of the manufacturer, packager, or seller. Warning of allergens is voluntary in the U.S. and Canada, but specific directives apply if an allergen is present. All countries except Canada mandate use and storage information; in Canada, this is left to the manufacturer’s discretion. The U.S. and Japan are the only countries that do not mandate lot/batch identification. Global harmonization of food labeling guidelines and policies would simplify communication of accurate and relevant nutritional and food safety information. This would aid in reducing food allergen exposure, with the associated benefits of reduced health care costs, increased selection, and improved quality of life for consumers. *Author for correspondence: Phone: +1 519.824.4120 EXT. 53824; E-mail: wilcock@uoguelph.ca 232 FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS JULY–AUGUST 2013 http://www.foodprotection.org/files/food-protection-trends/Jul-Aug-13-balazic.pdf

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - July/August 2013

Food Protection Trends - July/August 2013
Contents
Commentary
The Development and Use of the Food and Agriculture Systems Criticality Assessment Tool (FASCAT)
Evaluation of Process Control to Prevent Contamination of Beef With Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli (STEC) in U.S. Export Abattoirs in Honduras and Nicaragua
Food Safety Performance: Labeling and Indications of Allergens
Expectations and Applications of Natural Antimicrobials to Foods a Guidance Document for Users, Suppliers, Research and Development, and Regulatory Agencies
FSMA: Article 4
Research Spotlight
Beyond the Bio
Industry Products
PDG Highlight
Coming Events

Food Protection Trends - July/August 2013