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DLG-tested allergen management


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Over 17 million people in Europe suffer from food allergies. Cases of food allergies have doubled over the past 10 years.


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3.5 million of these people are less than 25 years of age. The sharpest increase is being seen amongst children and young people.


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More than 120 foods as triggers of food allergies. Of these, 14 foods or food groups are subject to mandatory declaration in the EU, i.e. they have to be identified.

Why is the label important to you as a consumer?

As a food allergy sufferer, avoiding allergens (allergy triggers) is by far the best way for you to live a complaint-free life. Scrutinising the list of ingredients has long since become the norm for you, because this is where you obtain important and reliable information about the product's allergenic potential. However, the situation concerning the identification of trace amounts is very different.

The reason for this is that the notice 'May contain traces of …' is a voluntary reference on the part of the manufacturer to the unintentional contamination of foods with allergenic substances*. So you never know whether traces of allergens are actually contained or not. With immediate effect, foods bearing the new label also offer you a reliable basis for your shopping decisions as regards the identification of trace amounts.


What specifically does the label mean to you as a consumer?

Ein Produkt mit dem Label „DLG-geprüftes Allergen-Management“, das 

  1. has no indication of unintentional allergen inclusions ('traces' notice) means that, on the basis of allergen management and the risk assessment, the product's evaluation shows that it does not cause allergic reactions in the vast majority of the allergy sufferer population and may only lead to mild complaints in a very small percentage of cases.
  2. indicates unintentional allergen inclusions ('traces' notice) means that a risk which cannot be avoided by means of the allergen management measures has been ascertained on the basis of the risk assessment for the specified allergy trigger.

Foods bearing the 'DLG-tested allergen management' label therefore offer a reliable basis for decision-making when shopping, something that is lacking at present.

* What are unintentional allergen inclusions?
Production conditions or pre-contaminated raw materials are the reason why the unintentional contamination of foods with allergens cannot always be ruled out by manufacturers. This poses a major challenge for all concerned, because relevant quantities can also lead to undesired allergic reactions in allergy sufferers.

What does the label stand for?

The DLG label stands for tested allergen management in food processing companies. Unintentional allergen inclusions in production are to be prevented even more specifically and actually existing health risks are to be clearly communicated on the basis of current and scientifically sound assessment criteria. Transparency in allergen identification means that suffers no longer have to unnecessarily restrict their choice of foods and significantly enhances their quality of life.

Who is permitted to bear the label?

Only food manufacturers that undertake functioning allergen management are permitted to bear the 'DLG-tested allergen management' label.

An assessment of the risk of unintentional allergen inclusions of relevance to the health of allergy sufferers forms the basis of their allergen identification.

What is tested?

A certification programme for allergen management has been developed on the basis of the latest scientific and medical criteria. Besides certifying the food manufacturer's process, focusA certification programme for allergen management has been developed on the basis of the latest scientific and medical criteria. Besides certifying the food manufacturer's process, focusA certification programme for allergen management has been developed on the basis of the latest scientific and medical criteria. Besides certifying the food manufacturer's process, focus is also placed on assessing and communicating the risk of unintentional allergen inclusions..

This is achieved through:

  • An extensive internal risk assessment with regard to unintentional allergen inclusions
  • High requirements that clearly surpass the statutory standard
  • Regular production location and process inspections. During these, checks are undertaken within a company to determine whether the specific requirement catalogue for good allergen management is in place.

If all of the requirements are met, foods are permitted to bear the 'DLG-tested allergen management' label.

Who issues the label?

The 'DLG-tested allergen management' label is issued by DLG TestService GmbH in cooperation with the Deutschen Allergie- und Asthmabund e.V. (German Allergy and Asthma Association, DAAB).

Any questions about the label?

DLG TestService GmbH
Wöllsteiner Straße 16 • 55599 Gau-Bickelheim • Germany
Tel. +49 6701 20035-0 • Fax +49 6701 20035-40
allergenmanagement@dlgts.comwww.DLGTestService.com

Deutscher Allergie- und Asthmabund e.V.
An der Eickesmühle 15 - 19 • 41238 Mönchengladbach • Germany
Tel. +49 2166 647882-0 • www.daab.de