With the changes to ‘Prepacked for Direct Sale’ (PPDS) food coming into force from the 1^st October 2021, the FSA have published a summary of the current and upcoming resources available to industry and the Local Authorities:

PPDS Labelling Guidance

This is a dedicated page on labelling requirements for PPDS food which provides detailed information on what food businesses are required to provide on the packaging including from a legislative perspective. It also provides useful information for producers of PPDS food on things such as Quantitative Ingredient Declaration (QUID), multipacks, food additives and flavourings, as well as the responsibilities of food businesses and suppliers.

Allergen Q&A

In July, the  ‘Allergen Q&A’  (aimed at Local Authorities) is to be updated. The revised version will include a dedicated section for PPDS as well as a PPDS decision flowchart and some specific examples of what is and what is not PPDS.

PPDS Sector Guidance

The FSA have also committed to publishing sector specific guidance on food.gov during July. Each guidance document will support food businesses understand how PPDS will apply to their relevant sector and will also include examples of PPDS products, specific questions and answers, and a practical guide for labelling. Social media assets are also to be made available.

PPDS Webinars

The FSA will be hosting a webinar specifically for food officers who are responsible for enforcing allergen labelling requirements on Thursday 29 July 2021 at 2pm – 4pm.

A webinar aimed at businesses will also be held on Wednesday 4 August 2021.

More information on the webinars is to follow shortly.

Food Hypersensitivity section

A section has been created on the FSA’s Smarter Communications platform with information on Food Hypersensitivity.

Initially a folder on PPDS had been added but more folders are to be added including one on Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL).

Note, registration of the platform is required to access information, which is a fairly straight forward process but please do let us know should you have any problems.