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Food Labelling and Allergies
15 May 2023
Lead MP
Nicholas Fletcher
Responding Minister
Neil O'Brien
Tags
NHSEmploymentForeign AffairsAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 13071
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Nicholas Fletcher raised concerns about food labelling and allergies in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks for a Government initiative, such as an Allergy Tsar, who could work with stakeholders like families affected by allergies, charities, frontline staff, proprietors, supply chain businesses, the Food Standards Agency and other government departments. Additionally, he supports changes to the law to require clearer allergen information on menus and discussions initiated by servers about customer allergies.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The lead MP is concerned about the tragic loss of young lives due to food allergies, citing cases like Natasha Ednan-Laperouse and Owen Carey. He notes that despite existing laws such as Natasha's law, more needs to be done to prevent avoidable deaths from food allergens in restaurants. The MP highlights challenges faced by the catering industry including high staff turnover, kitchen pressures, and varying menu changes which can lead to errors in allergy information.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Acknowledged the courage of Tanya and Emma, who lost their daughters to anaphylaxis due to allergen ingestion. Highlighted that the UK has one of the highest incidences of allergies globally with a significant increase in hospital admissions for food-induced anaphylaxis over the past two decades. Emphasised the need for action regarding non-pre-packed food labelling and the appointment of an allergy tsar or lead accountable person to improve services.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
He questioned the Government's resistance to appointing a national allergy tsar, given long-standing calls for such a position. Andrew Slaughter highlighted the impact of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse's death on his constituents, praised the work of her family in setting up Natasha's law, and emphasized that there is still much to do despite progress. He noted an over 600% increase in hospital admissions due to allergic diseases over two decades and called for more research funding. Slaughter argued against partial roles like Dr Claire Bethune's as inadequate substitutes for a full-time allergy tsar, emphasizing the need for joined-up clinical leadership. He also requested a meeting between the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and Government officials.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
In the hospitality industry, there is a high turnover of staff which can lead to issues with allergy information. Ben Lake suggested that technology like electronic forms and QR codes could help new employees quickly access ingredient details when asked.
Gill Furniss
Lab
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Ms. Furniss expressed concern over the preventable nature of Owen's death, due to inadequate food labelling in restaurants. She advocated for a change in legislation to require allergen information to be clearly displayed on menus alongside food items, similar to vegan symbols used by some establishments. She highlighted the rise in allergy cases across the UK and the need for better data collection and more investment in NHS allergy services.
Jon Cruddas
Lab
Dagenham
Mr. Cruddas highlighted the high prevalence of allergies in the UK, noting that 44% of adults and 50% of children suffer from one or more allergic disorders. He called for an allergy tsar to champion sufferers and improve healthcare provision, supported by recommendations from various reports over two decades. The MP also emphasised the need for a national allergy action plan including better training for GPs and allergen labelling in restaurants.
Lisa Cameron
SNP
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
Cameron thanked the hon. Member for Don Valley and highlighted the importance of explicit menu labelling, accurate data collection, and corporate responsibility across Government. She emphasised that progress needs to be made quickly to prevent further tragic deaths. Cameron also discussed the need for more allergy testing, staff training in hospitality sectors, and technological advancements such as blockchain digital technology to improve food labelling and distribution. Agreed with the Minister but stressed that over-cautiousness in allergen labelling is more sensible to ensure safety rather than risking lives.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
The Food Standards Agency has highlighted that while young people are more likely to have food allergies, they are less likely to inform cafes or restaurants about them. Margaret Ferrier also noted data from 2022 showing smaller manufacturers focus on physical separation of ingredients and secure storage, whereas medium-sized businesses take additional steps such as cleaning between production runs. She urged for personalised guidance for all business sizes to improve their risk assessment in handling food allergies. She highlighted societal misconceptions about food allergies, citing that 600,000 people in the UK have coeliac disease but there is a misconception that gluten-free diets are chosen for health and cosmetic reasons. She argued more needs to be done to ensure public awareness of food allergy definitions and dangers.
Sarah Green
Lib Dem
Chesham and Amersham
Expressed support for appointing an allergy tsar to champion allergy sufferers, citing a constituent's near-fatal allergic reaction. Highlighted inconsistencies in precautionary labelling practices among food companies which lead to confusion and risks for allergy sufferers.
Sheryll Murray
Con
South East Cornwall
Paid tribute to Owen Carey, whose death from an allergic reaction to buttermilk highlighted the need for better allergy information on menus. Called for legislation mandating allergy information on menu faces and improved training for service staff regarding allergens. Asked how small outlets in her constituency are able to list allergens on their menus despite it being stated as a challenge for larger establishments.
Steve Brine
Con
Winchester
The MP highlighted the importance of food labelling for individuals with allergies and intolerances. He mentioned that his constituency has the second-highest number of petition signatories, due to a local campaign related to Owen's law. The MP emphasised the need for better information on allergens and urged the Government to update progress on its response to the petitions.
Government Response
Neil O'Brien
Government Response
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley for introducing this debate and all contributors for their points. I recognise the strength of demand to improve treatment for allergy sufferers and pay tribute to victims' families in the Public Gallery. Natasha's law requires pre-packed direct-sale food to show ingredients and allergens, aiding those with allergies to choose safe food. There are 2.6 million people with food hypersensitivities in the UK, rising due to factors like coeliac disease. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) works on consumer safety and has met with the Carey family; it studies Ireland's law but no announcement is made today as there's room for improvement. Challenges include avoiding out-of-date menu information for smaller restaurants and over-labelling items, which may limit choices for allergy sufferers while prioritising safety. Over 380,000 people have signed up for allergy training since September 2020, funded by the FSA with £22 million investment in research since 1997. NHS England has a clinical reference group providing advice and leadership on specialised immunology and allergy services, reviewing current service specifications to define standards of care. The Government looks at proposals for an allergy tsar and meets expert groups, aiming for more joined-up work through things like an expert advisory group for allergy. It prioritises investment in relevant training pathways with a long-term workforce plan being developed by NHS England, complemented by the forthcoming 15-year plan taking account of productivity improvements and specialisms needs.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.