Allergen information for nonprepacked food - preferences of food-allergic consumers. Results of three surveys of the German Allergy and Asthma Association from 2008 to 2013

Non-prepackaged food is a challenge for food allergic consumers, since it does not require mandatory allergen labelling as prepackaged food. The German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB) conducted 3 surveys on non-prepackaged food since 2008 with food allergic consumers. The results show that, despite the lack of allergen information, non-prepackaged food is bought and consumed by food allergic consumers, although many (up to 85%) experienced one or more allergic reactions after consumption of food sold loose. In addition the development of provision of allergen information in non-prepackaged food from a consumer perspective is evaluated since Food Information Regulation came into force and consumer preference regarding the implementation of FIR is evaluated with regard to national legislation. People with food allergies would prefer written allergen information for non-prepackaged food with a clear reference to the name of the allergen listed in Annex II of FIR (e.g. contains: milk, egg, hazelnut, wheat, fish etc.)