Vending

UK vending association supports allergen labeling, offers guidance

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October 9, 2020

The Automatic Vending Association has advised its members that it supports the Food Information Consumers Regulation on allergen labeling, an initiative which the association was involved in creating, according to a press release.

The regulation from the U.K.'s Food Standards Agency requires information on any allergens must be available to the consumer before purchase, including all packaged product sold through closed front vending machines.

The regulation specifies the allergens, which is available to members on the AVA website, and notes the allergens must be clearly labeled using the format: "Contains "PEANUTS."

The AVA also provides an allergen labeling guide.

For AVA members, appropriate labelling on machines is part of their annual quality audit.

"We will take this opportunity to once again remind our members of the need to provide current and comprehensive allergen information to consumers to ensure they make safe choices," the association said in the press release.