Coles introduces ‘allergen-friendly labelling’ to its private label products
Australian supermarket Coles has announced that 100 per cent of its private label (home brand) products are being re-labelled to make life easier for customers with food allergies.
The supermarket’s new labelling consists of:
- Bolding allergens in the ingredients listed on its private label products.
- An allergen summary statement on every private label product (i.e. ‘contains nuts’).
- A precautionary statement if needed (i.e. ‘..may be present’) on the private label products.
Coles announced the new labelling initiative to coincide with Food Allergy Awareness Week (14 – 18 May 2012), an initiative of Anaphylaxis Australia.
According to Coles, research conducted by the Food Standards Agency in 2001 had revealed that the average food shopping time for nut allergic consumers takes 39 per cent longer than it does for a consumer not shopping for food allergies.
Coles’ Quality Manager, Neil McSkimming said, “With food allergies on the increase and as part of our continued commitment to our customers, we are now in the position to officially launch our new and improved labelling to make life easier for the millions of Australians living with food allergies.
“In demonstration of our ongoing support of Anaphylaxis Australia, we are proud to play a part in raising awareness of this serious food health issue,” Mr McSkimming said.
This is great to see! I hope this means more food available to the allergic community and not a case of too many ‘may contain traces’ warnings just to cover oneself.
Thank you Coles and again to Anaphylaxis Australia Inc for your continued hard work
Oh wow !!! That would be fantastic , our son has severe Anaphylaxtic allergy to Dairy, Even small amounts of milk are dangerous for him, it takes sooooo long to shop, and he not a very patient little fellow . I celebrate this move from Coles.
Thank you .