Devon food businesses are being invited to book places at one of two free webinars about important changes to food labelling legislation that take effect in October.

Currently foods which are made, packed, and sold on the same premises are not required to show ingredients or allergy information on the product label.

But in October the law will require businesses to provide a full ingredients list, with allergenic ingredients emphasised within it, when labelling foods pre-packed for direct sale.

Those that do not could be prosecuted.

The webinars will take place on Thursday, July 8 and Thursday, July 15, and will cover:

• How to identify allergens if you sell/offer pre-packed for direct sale foods and what the new legislation will require
• Practical advice on identifyingallergens in ingredientsand the use of "may contain".
• Linksto additional support tools, advice, andstep-by-step guidance.
• Changes to allergen labelling requirements in October 2021.

There will also be a chance to ask questions to get specific advice relating to your business.

The webinars will be hosted by Heart of the South West Growth Hub, Better Business for All, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards and Devon and Plymouth Chamber, and are open to all businesses in the region.

In the South West in 2018/2019 there was a 48 per cent increase in allergen related complaints, and in the UK about10 people die every year from food-induced anaphylaxis.

In 2019 Trading Standards purchased food from multiple outlets, which had been described by the premises as not containing one or more of the 14 most recognised allergens.

Laboratory tests revealed that a third of the products tested were incorrectly described and contained at least one undisclosed allergen.

Paul Thomas, the Head of Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards said: "If you are a business who sells food it is vital that you have a thorough understanding of the changes in legislation and how it impacts on your business – the health of your business and of your customers depends on it.

"These free webinars will answer any questions you may have and if you need additional guidance, will signpost you to where you can obtain that extra support."

The webinar on Thursday, July 8 runs from 10am to 11am and the one on Thursday, July 15 is from 3pm to 4pm.

To book a place for July 8 click here.

To book for July 15 click here.