Why Allergen Management Matters

When it comes to allergen management, the stakes couldn’t be higher for small and micro food and drink producers. With food hypersensitivities on the rise and regulatory scrutiny increasing, getting it wrong, even unintentionally, can have devastating consequences for consumers and businesses.

Allergen Labelling: A Leading Cause of Product Recalls

According to a recent analysis, more than half of UK food recalls between 2016 and 2021 were due to undeclared allergens, making allergen labelling the single biggest cause of recalls in that period. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) routinely reports dozens of allergen-related product withdrawals each year, and while supermarkets often dominate the headlines, small and micro-producers are just as vulnerable, if not more so.

For example, a Trading Standards investigation in Devon and Somerset found that over half (56%) of local food businesses were breaching food labelling laws, with more than a third (34%) selling items containing undeclared allergens such as milk or gluten.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

For smaller producers, the impact of a recall can be disproportionate. Beyond the financial cost of retrieving stock, there’s reputational damage, customer trust issues, and the risk of enforcement action or legal claims.

Even a simple oversight, like mislabelling an allergen, using the wrong packaging, or failing to clean down equipment properly, can lead to serious consequences. In some cases, it can put lives at risk.

What Can Producers Do?

Allergen management doesn’t need to be complex, but it does need to be consistent and thorough. Key steps include:

• Accurate ingredient checks and clear supplier information

• Effective staff training on allergens and cross-contamination risks

• Label verification procedures and pre-print checks

• Regular cleaning and segregation protocols in production

• A clear plan for handling customer queries and product recalls

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) recently launched new allergen guidance to support small businesses with practical, easy-to-implement advice. SALSA also offers specialist training and tools to help producers reduce risk and build confidence in their allergen processes.

Take Action Now

If you’re a small food or drink business, now is the time to review your allergen management practices—especially if you’re scaling up, expanding your product range, or supplying to new retailers.

By investing time in getting this right, you’re not only protecting your customers but safeguarding your business and brand reputation too.

Upcoming Training Opportunity

SALSA's next Allergen Management – Principles & Practice course is scheduled for 23 May 2025 and will be conducted online. This comprehensive training is designed to help you develop and operate safe and effective allergen management systems within your business

👉 View Course Details and Book Your Place here