Sampling uncovers allergen and authenticity issues

Sampling of a variety of retail products has found the majority are compliant but examples of undeclared allergens and sausages with meat other than pork were found.

Results come from a survey published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that plays a role in identifying and monitoring emerging food safety risks. 

The Retail Surveillance Sampling program is targeted at areas of known or potential risk. The survey from June to December 2024 sampled 822 products, including those that may be found in a typical basket of food.

Products were tested for undeclared allergens, contaminants, adulteration, inaccurate composition or incorrect labeling. They were purchased from physical and online retailers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Of samples tested for allergens, 96 percent were compliant. Milk was the most common undeclared allergen. Of 115 samples tested for milk, five were positive and it was not declared on the label.

Allergens and sausage testing
In terms of authenticity, 94 percent of samples were deemed authentic. Problematic samples included Basmati rice which contained more non-Basmati rice varieties than allowed, and non-pork meat in pork sausages.

The compliance rate for unauthorized ingredients was 93 percent, with issues including non-permitted sweeteners, and unapproved and excess use of colors. No mycotoxins or heavy metals were detected at levels of concern.

Bread products had the lowest compliance rate of the basket of food commodities, with only nine of 35 samples deemed satisfactory. The possible presence of undeclared allergens was indicated in three samples, but they were mainly unsatisfactory because of labeling issues.

Five oregano samples contained leaf material not consistent with oregano. Insect fragments or eggs were found in six samples, two had plastic contamination, and three samples contained fragments of shell, stone, or soil-like material.

Meat other than pork was detected in four pork sausage samples. Cow DNA was found in all four samples, and one sausage also contained sheep and chicken DNA. Levels of the other meats were low, suggesting poor practice or cross-contamination rather than deliberate inclusion. 

Checks on caffeine and bubble tea
All 30 chicken ready meal samples were satisfactory with regards to meat speciation and 30 olive oil samples were authentic. No undeclared allergens were found in any of the free-from samples tested. A vegan vanilla ice cream labeled as dairy free was found to contain milk protein.

Sudan I, a genotoxic and carcinogenic dye, which should not be present in food was detected in one turmeric sample.

Testing of 40 caffeine containing supplements revealed that seven samples had caffeine levels outside the 20 percent tolerance guideline. Two were above this amount and five did not have enough caffeine.

Eight of 32 bubble tea samples contained unauthorized ingredients or permitted ingredients at excess levels. Konjac was detected once, It is not authorized for use in confectionery due to the potential choking hazard.

A sample of lamb lasagna was non-compliant as it contained other meat species, with both cow at 5 percent and pig at 0.1 percent, detected. Levels of nitrates and nitrites greater than permitted were found in three samples of UK produced bacon.

“People have a right to trust the food they buy and we are pleased that the majority of samples tested for allergen compliance, authenticity and composition met regulations,” said Rebecca Sudworth, director of policy at the FSA.

“While major safety or authenticity issues are relatively rare, we urge businesses to pay greater attention to the accuracy of labeling, especially for allergens. Where areas of non-compliance were found this year, we’ve acted to address them by alerting the relevant local authorities so they can take appropriate action.”   

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