News In October, "Food and Drug" forces food establishments to disclose allergens

The Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has announced that food establishments providing food to consumers outside the home are required to disclose allergens in the meal menu from early October.

The list "Disclosure of allergens in the list of foods" requires that the allergenic ingredients are permanently displayed in the menus, in a clear, readable and easily understandable place, in Arabic, with the possibility of translating them into another language.

This also implies the need to disclose and announce sensitivity information in catering and accommodation contracts, as well as in the case of contractors and parties.

The regulation applies to all food-serving establishments such as restaurants, cafes, cafeterias or buffets, bakeries, ice cream parlors and candy stores, fixed and mobile food kiosks, food delivery businesses, daycares, institutions health and charities providing meals. Free, and facilities that provide other catering facilities.

The regulation requires establishments to disclose allergenic ingredients if meals contain: gluten-based cereals, shellfish and products, fish and products, eggs and products, peanuts and products, mustard and products, nuts and products, sesame seeds and products , milk and products thereof, molluscs and sulphites, Thermos and its products, celery and its products, soya beans and products thereof.

The importance of the disclosure of allergens lies in the maintenance of the health of individuals: their consumption, even in small quantities, can lead to serious negative complications in people with allergies to certain types of food.