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Tesco nut allergy packaging backlash: supermarket responds to claims Tesco nut allergy packaging backlash: supermarket responds to claims
(about 9 hours later)
Tesco has responded to accusations made by allergy campaigners that it has put an unnecessary amount of nut warnings on its products to protect the company from potential legal action.Tesco has responded to accusations made by allergy campaigners that it has put an unnecessary amount of nut warnings on its products to protect the company from potential legal action.
Following new EU nut allergy labelling regulations, retailers have updated their packing.Following new EU nut allergy labelling regulations, retailers have updated their packing.
But sufferers complained that Tesco had added “may contain nuts” to products including ham, yoghurt, and sweet potatoes.But sufferers complained that Tesco had added “may contain nuts” to products including ham, yoghurt, and sweet potatoes.
Nut allergies occur when a person’s immune system reacts abnormally to specific foods. While reactions are often mild, inducing itchy sensations inside the mouth, reactions can sometimes be extremely severe. In the serious cases, food intolerance can cause anaphylactic shock, where a person can struggle to breathe and become unconscious. “Nut allergies occur when a person’s immune system reacts abnormally to specific foods. While reactions are often mild, including itching sensations inside the mouth, they can sometimes be extremely severe. In the most serious cases, food allergies can cause anaphylactic shock, where a person can struggle to breathe, become unconscious, and if untreated, die.”
Alexa Baracaia, the parent of a nut-allergic child told The Grocer: “it begs the questions of why that label was there in the first place and appears to confirm our suspicions that these labels are little more than lazy legal disclaimers rather than genuine statements of risk”.Alexa Baracaia, the parent of a nut-allergic child told The Grocer: “it begs the questions of why that label was there in the first place and appears to confirm our suspicions that these labels are little more than lazy legal disclaimers rather than genuine statements of risk”.
The firm has rejected the claims. A spokesman for Tesco said: “Our first priority is always the safety of our customers and we take great care to label our products with allergy advice where necessary. We only display these warnings on products when there is a risk of cross contamination.”The firm has rejected the claims. A spokesman for Tesco said: “Our first priority is always the safety of our customers and we take great care to label our products with allergy advice where necessary. We only display these warnings on products when there is a risk of cross contamination.”