ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO DE LA DECLARACIÓN DE ALÉRGENOS Y FRASES DE ADVERTENCIA EN RÓTULOS DE ALIMENTOS ENTRE LOS AÑOS 2019 Y 2022

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: the labeling of food allergens in products is today one of the issues that generates great concern in the population. Objective: was to evaluate how different companies adapted to current legislation on allergens in Argentina. Materials and methods: in 2019, sixteen sweet and salty food products were surveyed, coded as: ME, MN, TO, PA, GD, F, MLV, QM, BB, BT, TR, TM, PFK, BQK, CHB and CM. To compare the allergen declarations, in mid-2022 the sixteen products were surveyed again, finding three discontinued products. The analysis of the label included verification of compliance with the allergen declaration, use of warning phrases (FA), and presentation of information. Results and Discution: in 2019, the declaration of allergens includes expressions such as: “contains gluten”, in 50% of the products analyzed. On the other hand, in five of the fifteen products with FA, there are expressions such as "may contain traces...". Likewise, it is included in five products, sesame, an allergen contemplated by legislations other than Argentina. Regarding the presence of sulfur dioxide and sulphites, there are two products that declare them below the list of ingredients and two other products that declare sulphites in their warning phrases. When analyzing the labels in 2022, 80% of the analyzed products do not present inconsistencies with regard to the presentation of the information. Conclusions: in the comparative study, an improvement is observed in the correct declaration of allergens and warning phrases. However, more than five years after the end of the period granted to the industries for the adaptation of the labels for an adequate declaration of allergens, some errors persist in them. Keywords: food allergen; food labeling; Argentine food code; food allergy; allergen labeling.