Precautionary Allergen Labelling in Serbia: Market Audit and Consumers' Perception

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Consumer Behavior
• Public Health

Background:

• Precautionary allergen labels (PAL) indicate potential allergen presence in food.
• Understanding the prevalence and consumer perception of PAL is crucial for food allergy management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and types of PAL on pre-packaged foods in Belgrade, Serbia.
• To assess consumer attitudes and behaviors regarding PAL statements.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive study analyzing 1404 pre-packaged food products for PAL prevalence, allergen types, and terminology.
• Survey of 275 participants (food allergic and caregivers) on PAL reading, purchasing, and credibility.

Main Results:

• 33.9% of products featured PAL, with "tree nuts" being the most common allergen.
• "May contain traces of x [allergen]" was the most frequent PAL type (52.7%).
• Half of participants always read PAL; 43.3% mistakenly believed PAL is legally regulated; 25% found PAL trustworthy.

Conclusions:

• PAL statements are often not user-friendly, potentially compromising protection for food-allergic individuals.
• There is a need for regulatory strategies to govern PAL, enhancing consumer confidence and health security.