Food Information for Consumers (FIC) Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (S.I. No. 489 of 2014) From 13th Dec 2014 stipulates that food allergen information for non-prepacked food must, as a minimum, be provided in written format, but can also be provided verbally at any time.
The allergens in any meals, snacks and any food consumed in activities such as baking must be listed and parents made aware of before the food is consumed. There is no requirement under this regulation to list foodstuffs used in creative play such as corn flour for ‘gloop’, wheat flour for play dough etc as this is not intended for consumption (even if the child may eat it!). (NB You should be doing risk assessments on all materials you provide for play and check out children’s allergies before you allow them access). Each meal or snack must indicate if any of the 14 (required) allergens are present. The information provided must include the word “contains” followed by the specific allergens, e.g. contains wheat, barley, soya and egg. Precautionary declarations such as “may contain…” or “prepared in a kitchen/premises that uses…” are voluntary declarations and do not satisfy the allergen information requirements set out in S.I. No. 489 of 2014 for non-prepacked foods.
Childcare facilities are required to provide written food allergen information. However, young children are not in a position to understand or appreciate written food allergen information and therefore, it is necessary that this information is provided to the parent or guardian, particularly when new or altered menu items are made available.
If parents send in birthday cakes it is preferable that these are shop bought as the packaging will contain allergen information that can be provided to parents. However if parents send in a homemade cake it is the responsibility for the Childcare provider to obtain the allergen information from the parent so that this can be displayed.
Allergens that must be listed (or products of): Gluten, Crustaceans, Eggs, Fish, Peanuts, Soybeans, Milk, Nuts, Celery, Mustard, Sesame Seeds, Sulphur Dioxide and Sulphites, Lupin, Molluscs
For more information www.fsai.ie
