Parents urged to check labels carefully this Easter

As families across the UK prepare for Easter celebrations complete with chocolate eggs and sweet treats, we would like to remind parents and carers of the vital importance of checking food labels, particularly at times when your children may receive Easter eggs and unfamiliar sweet treats as gifts.

Easter often brings an abundance of novelty chocolates, imported sweets and products purchased as one-off seasonal items. For families managing food allergies, these treats can present unexpected risks.

By law, all pre-packed foods must clearly highlight, for example, using bold type, if they contain any of the 14 major allergens. These are celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, soya and sulphur dioxide (sulphites).

While this legislation provides essential protection, labels should still be checked every time a product is purchased.

Anne Biggs, Deputy Head of Clinical Services at Allergy UK, says: “As children excitedly unwrap Easter eggs and share sweets with friends, a few moments spent checking the label could prevent a serious allergic reaction.

“Easter is a good opportunity to raise awareness amongst family and friends to check ingredient labels on gifts. It’s a time of celebration and fun – and telling family and friends about safe practices with food can help children living with food allergies feel included, safe and have a positive experience.

“Even if a chocolate egg or sweet has been safe in the past, recipes and manufacturing processes can change without notice. A ‘new tastier recipe’ claim or updated packaging could signal a change in ingredients.

“It’s also important to remember that food labelling laws differ outside the EU. Imported Easter treats or sweets purchased abroad may follow different allergen labelling rules. Parents are urged to examine ingredient lists carefully and exercise extra caution with products from outside the UK.”

Some allergens may appear under unfamiliar names. For example, whey powder must be clearly identified as being derived from milk, but without careful reading, it may not immediately be recognised by all consumers.

Precautionary allergen labelling such as “may contain” or “made in a factory that also handles…” is not currently governed by specific legislation on when it must be used, leading to variation between products.

Seasonal treats such as chocolate eggs, biscuits, cereal-based snacks and nut products are among those more commonly at risk of cross-contamination. Some people with a severe food allergy may need to avoid products carrying these warnings, based on advice from their healthcare professional.

It is also possible to have allergies to foods not included in the top 14, such as chickpeas, lentils, corn or kiwi. These ingredients will not be highlighted in bold, so careful reading of the full ingredient list remains essential.

Families are advised to:  

  • Check food labels every time a product is purchased
  • Always read the label on items that have not been bought before
  • Be vigilant about packaging changes or new recipe claims
  • Recheck ingredients if you haven’t purchased a product for some time
  • When buying unpackaged or loose foods from cafés or markets, ask about cross-contamination precautions
  • Ensure foods prepared and pre-packed on the same premises (such as sandwich outlets or delis) carry a full ingredients list
  • If there is any doubt about the allergen content of something, don’t take the risk
  • Raise awareness amongst families and friends on how they can support children with food allergies
  • Always ensure you or your child has their emergency medication with them.

For information on food labelling see for factsheet on food labelling.