Allergen Declaration for BRC?

Hello everyone,

We are manufacturers and exporters of spices and herbs, which is clearly not an allergen nor any of our process or raw materials contains allergen. But my auditor insisted on implementing allergen declaration onsite. Does that mean every employee who brings allergen as part of their meal declare everyday including milk products like tea, coffee and yogurt as well?? I am not sure if that is the right way to do this Allergen declaration and apart from that  how to assure each and every employee declare allergens when they bring in their meal. :uhm:I highly appreciate any ideas in implementing this. And kindly share any allergen risk assessment that might help me. Thank you in-advance. 

Hi Karthik,

I am not sure about Allergen declaration but yes there are certain measures which you would need to put in place to ensure your products are allergen free: -

1. You have separate meal area (Staff cafeteria) for them.

2. They are not carrying their eatables into the processing area.

3. Hand washing practices before joining the work

4. No personal clothes or any other personal belonging in the areas.

Also one thing is sure that your staff do not need to declare their meal contents.

Thanks

Gourav 

Thanks Gourav, I have been arguing with my boss on this issue as declaration from every employee whats in their meal seems not practical to me and he doesn't seem to agree on this. So I have to reconfirm again. Thank you again.

Hi Karthik,

Another thing you can do is add to your allergen awareness training a short educational topic to employees on the need to wash hands, no ake food to factory, etc and post an allergen alert sign on entrance and ext to the areas (lunch/break rooms) stating the area may contain any allergen or allrgen combinations.

Doreen

Dear KarthikP,

We are manufacturers and exporters of spices and herbs, which is clearly not an allergen

 

Really ?

I suggest you consult Google, eg -

http://www.usatoday....e-real/1694705/

http://en.wikipedia....adverse_effects

Rgds / Charles.C

Thanks Charles.

Do we have anywhere guidelines/ legislation to declare any spice as potential allergen on the pack.

Thank you Doreen, will surely do that.

Charles,

That is very useful information. Thank you for sharing. May I please know is it mandatory for any country to declare them as allergens? Currently our main focus is on Chilly and Turmeric, we have plans to implement the rest soon. 

Thanks Charles.

Do we have anywhere guidelines/ legislation to declare any spice as potential allergen on the pack.

Dear Gourav,

Yes, there is a lengthy "global" thread on this somewhere here. Declaration requirements vary a lot. Mustard, celery, sesame are popular ones from memory.

As examples -

agv1 - allergen global variations.pdf   626.11KB   43 downloads

agv2 - food_allergen_report (Australia).pdf   688.36KB   31 downloads

http://www.foodandnu...spice_chart.htm

@KarthikP

chilli, see this -

http://www.allergy-d...ayed-reactions/

and attachment agv2

turmeric -

http://www.md-health...de-Effects.html

the fact is that there are allergens everywhere but not all have to be declared of course. Didn't see the above pair mentioned in the earlier (2006) attachment but countries differ.

Rgds / Charles.C

Thanks for sharing. Very helpful info.

Thank you for sharing Charles.