Food businesses in Barnsley are being asked to check their ingredients following changes to labelling laws which come into effect on 20 July.
From that date retailers will need to provide customers with information of certain synthetic colours contained in their food which have been identified as having an adverse affect on children’s health.
Any food manufactured after 20 July which contains one of six colours linked to behavioural problems and hyperactivity in children, must state the name of the colour or E number followed by the wording “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”. Failure to provide this information could result in a £5,000 fine.
The colours requiring this warning are, Tartrazine (E102), Quinoline Yellow (E104) Sunset Yellow (E110) Carmoisine (E122) Allura Red (E129) and Ponceau 4R (E124). The colours are used in a wide range of foods including sausages, cakes and drinks.
The warning must be given at retail level on packaging or on a notice near to food sold loose. Currently there is no requirement for caterers to inform customers of the presence of the colours on menus, but a number of national chains have removed the colours from all food sold on their premises on a voluntary basis.
This list can be accessed on the Food Standards Agency’s website: www.food.gov.uk. Food already on the market can continue to be sold without the warning until the end of its shelf life.
Cllr Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson, Customer and Neighbourhood Services, said: “Regulatory Services food standards officers are encouraging businesses to remove unnecessary colour from their food or use natural colours. Where synthetic colours which can affect children’s health continue to be used, parents need to know about it so they can choose to avoid them.”
Officers will be carrying out routine inspections across the borough to ensure that traders are providing this information.
Traders or consumers with enquires can call Regulatory Services on 01226 772468.
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