The European Commission has passed new legislation to extend food labelling requirements to include molluscs and lupins. This requirement will come into force in autumn 2006, with the industry expected to comply by autumn 2008.
Since November last year, it has been a legal requirement to indicate the presence of 12 specified allergens and their derivatives on packaged
products. These allergens include crustaceans and fish, and the seafood industry has acted accordingly to comply with the requirement.
The Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish), which works with all sectors of the UK seafood industry, has produced guidance on allergen labelling to assist the
industry in complying with the new legislation.
Both molluscs and lupins (members of the pea family) are on the new list.
Molluscs are likely to be defined as gastropods, bivalves and cephalopods.
Seafish says the requirement to declare the presence of molluscs is unlikely to have dramatic effects for the industry as the inclusion of the allergen in the name of the food fulfils the labelling requirement.
However, ingredients derived from lupins may be found in a wide variety of products such as pea flour in batter. This must be indicated on the label or alternatives used.