Coeliacs exposed to gluten due to poor food labelling
Around 44 per cent of respondents to a survey by dietary app Ubamarket said that food labels are difficult and at times impossible to read,while more than half of respondents said that the complicated nature of UK food labels make it difficult for people with dietary requirements to make informed decisions about their food.
A large proportion of food recalls by the Food Standards Agency relate to incorrect labelling on foods - an error stating that something does not contain an allergen when it actually does.
Coeliac sufferes have an autoimmune reaction to eating gluten which can not only make sufferers vomit and have stomach problems after eating anything containing gluten - but can leave them with long-term damage to their gut if they are exposed regularly.
Last week, Tesco recalled a type of cheese burger because of undeclared sesame, which could be a serious health risk to anyone with an allergy to the ingredient. Last year, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, died after allegedly eating sesame in food sold by sandwich chain Pret a Manger that they knew they were allergic to, but did not realise was in the food they were eating. The chain has since begun listing all ingredients on its fresh products.
Ubamarket's app features 'Allergy Alerts' which bring the small print to life and ensures that UK consumers are informed and knowledgeable about the ingredients in the food they look to purchase. The feature allows shoppers to scan items using the Ubamarket app and receive an alert for any allergens such as gluten or dairy and even if a product is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Will Broome, chief executive of Ubamarket, said: “The recent discovery that many supermarkets such as Tesco, ASDA, Iceland and Morrisons are having to recall food due to inadequate food labelling shows that what should be an informational tool, is not serving its purpose. Our research has revealed that 23 million Brits feel that food labels are difficult and at times impossible to read, so the importance of having systems in place that grant freedom for shoppers to shop according to dietary requirements has never been more apparent.
"Retailers, supermarkets and food outlets could enable easier ways to identify important allergens and ingredients on labels. With easier ways to identify important allergens and ingredients on labels using technology, more convenient store layouts and a smoother shopping format, consumers will be able to shop with ease.”
"Wanajamii wa Uingereza wanaopinga matumizi ya chakula cha gluten, na asilimia 44 ya watu waliohojiwa katika utafiti uliofanywa na Ubamarket wanasema kwamba ""maelezo ya chakula ni magumu na wakati mwingine haiwezekani kusoma,"" huku zaidi ya nusu ya watu waliohojiwa wakisema kwamba ""ubaguzi wa chakula cha Uingereza hufanya iwe vigumu kwa watu wenye mahitaji ya chakula kufanya maamuzi kuhusu chakula chao.""" "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, sehemu kubwa ya kukumbushwa kwa chakula na Shirika la Viwango vya Chakula inahusiana na kuashiria vibaya kwenye chakula - kosa linaloonyesha kwamba kitu hakina kichocheo wakati kwa kweli kina.""" Watu wenye ugonjwa wa celiac wana athari ya autoimmune kwa kula gluten ambayo inaweza kuwafanya wagonjwa kutapika na kuwa na matatizo ya tumbo baada ya kula chochote kilicho na gluten - lakini inaweza kuwaacha na uharibifu wa muda mrefu kwa matumbo yao ikiwa wanakabiliwa mara kwa mara. Kampuni ya Tesco imesema kuwa imekataa kuagiza bidhaa za aina ya cheeseburger kwa sababu ya sesame ambayo haijatangazwa, ambayo inaweza kuwa hatari kubwa kwa afya ya mtu yeyote aliye na mzio wa kiungo hicho. Natasha Ednan-Leperuse, 15, aliuawa baada ya kula sesame katika chakula kilichouzwa na Pret a Manger, ambayo walijua walikuwa na mzio, lakini hawakujua ilikuwa katika chakula walichokuwa wakila. Tangu wakati huo, kampuni hiyo imeanza kuorodhesha viungo vyote kwenye bidhaa zake safi. Programu ya Ubamarket ina 'Alerts ya Mzio' ambayo huleta uchapishaji mdogo kwa maisha na kuhakikisha kuwa watumiaji wa Uingereza wanaarifiwa na wanajua juu ya viungo katika chakula wanachoangalia kununua. Mfumo huo unaruhusu watumiaji kuchunguza bidhaa kwa kutumia programu ya Ubamarket na kupokea tahadhari ya allergens yoyote kama vile gluten au maziwa na hata ikiwa bidhaa inafaa kwa mboga na mboga. "William Broome, mkurugenzi mtendaji wa Ubamarket, alisema: ""Ugunduzi wa hivi karibuni kwamba maduka makubwa mengi kama vile Tesco, ASDA, Iceland na Morrisons yanalazimika kukumbuka chakula kwa sababu ya kuashiria chakula kisichofaa inaonyesha kwamba kile kinachopaswa kuwa chombo cha habari hakitumiki kusudi lake." "Utafiti wetu umeonyesha kuwa ""Wangereza milioni 23 wanahisi kwamba lebo za chakula ni ngumu na wakati mwingine haiwezekani kusoma, kwa hivyo umuhimu wa kuwa na mifumo ambayo inatoa uhuru kwa wanunuzi kununua kulingana na mahitaji ya lishe haijawahi kuwa dhahiri zaidi.""" "Wauzaji, maduka makubwa na maduka ya chakula yanaweza kuwezesha njia rahisi za kutambua allergens muhimu na viungo kwenye lebo. Kwa njia rahisi za kutambua virutubisho muhimu na viungo kwenye vitambulisho kwa kutumia teknolojia, mipangilio rahisi zaidi ya maduka na muundo laini zaidi wa ununuzi, watumiaji wataweza kununua kwa urahisi.