You will already be aware that under the revised allergen labelling laws, The Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019, food businesses must provide information for Pre-Packed for Direct Sale (PPDS) food.
From 1st October 2021 PPDS food will need to have the name of the food and an ingredients list with allergens emphasised.
This information can be provided on food packaging or on a label fixed to its packaging.
Food businesses are defined in Article 3(2) of Regulation 178/2002 (General Food Law) as “…any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out any of the activities related to any stage of production, processing and distribution of food.” As such, State Schools, Independent Schools, Hospitals, Boarding Houses, Care Homes and Universities which sell or supply PPDS food will need to comply with the new Regulations, including where such food is supplied as part of the provision of another service.
PPDS food is food that is packed before being offered for sale by the same food business to the final consumer:
- on the same premises; or
- on the same site; or
- on other premises if the food is offered for sale from a moveable and/or temporary premise (such as marquees, market stalls, mobile sales vehicles) if the food is offered for sale by the same food business which packed it.
A draft of the technical guidance for FIR 2019 was published for consultation by the FSA in January 2020. The guidance sets out the criteria for a food to be PPDS. Items which fall under the PPDS legislation include packed sandwiches, wraps, salads, meat pies, sausage rolls and other items which meet the criteria.
If you need help with managing allergens please contact our registered company dietitian Anna-Maria Holt or call 01252 705 210.
