Bunzl Catering Supplies ready for food labelling legislation on allergens

Bunzl Catering Supplies is prepared and ready to support its customers in time for December 2014 when foodservice operators will be required to provide allergen information on food sold both prepacked and unpacked in all foodservice outlets.

From December, operators are required to ensure that all customers are given comprehensive information on ingredients to make it easier for people with food allergies to identify ingredients they need to avoid. The law will cover all foods that contain protein derived from any of the 14 major allergenic foods and food groups such as: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or soybeans.

Bunzl Catering Supplies has updated the online label service; ‘Caterlabel,' to ensure it complies with the forthcoming legislation, with allergens automatically bolded in ingredients lists when ‘ticked' as present by the operator.

The online Caterlabel system allows users to prepare, create and print label information straight to a printer and offers an administrative platform to oversee the management of allergen labels centrally.

Administrators can easily add and amend label designs and content in multiple-sites simultaneously, keeping sites up-to-date without having to physically visit each site and implement the changes manually.

Paul Willcocks, director, exclusive brands, Bunzl Catering Supplies, said: "The new legislation states that by December operators need to have systems in place to capture and record allergen information. Frustratingly, current legislation does not set out a single way that allergen information has to be provided in a catering setting. We've removed the worry for operators by creating an instant solution utilising the online Caterlabel system, which can provide allergen labelling that is affordable, easy to use and will keep customers safe."