Advanced
search

To read this content please select one of the options below:

Allergen's labeling of food products: regulatory practices in Morocco

Morad Guennouni (Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, Morocco) (Faculty of Science and Technology, Hassan First University, Settat, Morocco)
Brahim Admou (B2S Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco) (Laboratory of Immunology, Center of Clinical Research, University Hospital Mohamed VI, Marrakech, Morocco)
Noureddine El Khoudri (Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, Morocco)
Aicha Bourrouhouat (Pediatry Gastro-Enterology and Diet Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Marrakech, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco)
Safaa Machraoui (Pediatry Gastro-Enterology and Diet Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Marrakech, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco)
El Khansaa Jasny (Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, Morocco)
Abderraouf Hilali (Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, Morocco)

British Food Journal

ISSN: 0007-070X

Article publication date: 11 January 2022

Issue publication date: 3 November 2022

105

Abstract

Purpose

Allergenic substances cause food allergy, which represents a major health issue in most countries. This underlines the importance of considering the products' labeling as well as applying related regulatory practices. The objective of this study was to assess the labeling practices of allergens in food products in Morocco.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 156 food products collected from four supermarkets in a Moroccan megacity. The data related to the allergen substances (allergen declared, emphasis characters, precautionary allergen labeling) were collected from labels of food products.

Findings

The number of foods included in this research was 156, of which 7 (4.5%) did not mention the allergy alert. The analysis of the allergy alert in the others sample (149) showed 266 nonconformities, noticed in 112 (71.8%) products. The labeling emphasis characters were observed in 33.3% of products, and only 13.5% mentioned “contains allergen” as a mandatory statement to declare the presence of allergens. Allergic alerts found in places concealed, removable by the opening of the seal or difficult to see were observed in 28.9%. The use of a precautionary allergen labeling statement was noticed in 40.4% of products.

Originality/value

Moroccan regulations on food allergens are demanding like those of the European Union and more demanding than those of most African countries. However, the application of this regulation remains unsatisfactory and 266 non-conformities were found in 112 (71.8%) products. The absence of emphasis characters and the declaration in inappropriate places represent the most observed non-conformities. Therefore, Moroccan manufacturers must strictly adhere to regulations to avoid exposure of predisposed consumers to potentially threatening allergenic substances.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: This study did not receive any funding.

Citation

Guennouni, M., Admou, B., El Khoudri, N., Bourrouhouat, A., Machraoui, S., Jasny, E.K. and Hilali, A. (2022), "Allergen's labeling of food products: regulatory practices in Morocco", British Food Journal, Vol. 124 No. 12, pp. 4188-4199. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-05-2021-0533

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles

Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

Join us on our journey