In short, it is not necessary to have a safety data sheet for food products specifically. However, it is essential to have a safety data sheet for all chemical products that you hold within your food service business.
For all non-food chemicals that are being used in your hospitality establishment you should receive a safety data sheet with the original purchase.
What you should look to include in your menus is all allergen related information. This is from direct ingredients and traces. With many incidents similar to Natasha’s law it is important that businesses take allergens seriously.
For help with managing the allergens within your menus use our online allergen management system.
To learn more about safety data sheets related to the chemicals and products you use, keep reading.
What is a safety data sheet?
A safety data sheet (SDS) is a document that describes the hazards of a chemical substance. It also provides information on how to store and handle the substance safely, and what to do in an emergency. In the UK, employers are required by law to provide this information to employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances. Data sheets are essential for employers to be able to comply with this law and keep their employees safe.
Who needs to use a safety data sheet?
Anyone who is working with products that require safety data sheets should have access to them. Safety data sheets need to be held within the workplace. It is essential that all employees have access to it to ensure safe working practices.
These data sheets provide valuable information to your employees on how to handle products and what to do in worst case scenarios.
Where do I get a safety data sheet?
The manufacturer of the products in question should be providing the safety data sheets at the time of purchase.
If you find your safety data sheets are damaged and illegible you should contact the provider to obtain a replacement. If you are unable to contact the manufacturer you can try searching online, or on the manufacturer's website for more information.
What is included on a safety data sheet?
There are many important safety details that are included on the safety data sheet supplied with your product.
The SDS includes information such as;
Properties of each chemical
Physical hazards
Health hazards
Environmental health hazards
Protective measures
Safety precautions related to handling, storing, and transportation
All information provided on the safety data sheet should be relating to UK law and health and safety standards. If you are unsure whether the information is correct you can always speak to the manufacturer to gain clarification.
Additional information such as the below needs to be listed;
Product identification - manufacturer's information, importer, or other responsible corporations
Correct use of the product - description of what it does and any further restrictions on the product
First aid information - what needs to be done in case of an emergency
Fire fighting information - how to extinguish fire related to the substance etc.
Exposure - either accidental or general exposure controls
Download a safety data sheet
Here is a link to download various data sheets should you find yours missing.
As a business owner working within the hospitality industry it is important to follow all safety related measures. This will help protect your customers, employees and ultimately your business.
To ensure your business covers all bases, in particular with regards to allergen management. Try our 7 day free trial to see how Allergen Checker can change the way you manage your menus.
FAQs
The 14 allergens are: celery, cereals containing gluten (such as wheat, barley and oats), crustaceans (such as prawns, crabs and lobsters), eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs (such as mussels and oysters), mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide and sulphites (if the sulphur dioxide and sulphites are at a ...
How many allergens are there that must be displayed on food labels? ›
If your product contains any of the main 14 allergens as an ingredient or processing aid, it must be included on the label.
What are the FDA allergen labeling requirements? ›
The FALCPA amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) by defining the term “major food allergen” and requiring that foods or ingredients that contain a major food allergen be specifically labeled with the name of the allergen source.
Where must the 8 major allergens be listed on the ingredient label? ›
The name of the food source of a major allergen must appear: In parentheses following the name of the ingredient. Immediately after or next to the list of ingredients in a "contains" statement. Example: "Contains Wheat, Milk, and Soy."
How should the 14 allergenic ingredients be presented on packaged food? ›
You may also decide to use an allergy advice statement on the product label to explain how allergens are emphasised within the ingredients list, for example: 'Allergy Advice: for allergens, see ingredients in bold' or 'Allergy Advice: for allergens including cereals contain gluten see ingredients in red'.
What are the 8 major food allergens FDA? ›
What is a "major food allergen"?
- Milk.
- Egg.
- Fish.
- Crustacean shellfish.
- Tree nuts.
- Wheat.
- Peanuts.
- Soybeans.
FALCPA requires that foods are labeled to identify the eight major food allergens. The eight major allergens are: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shell fish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans. These 8 major food allergens identified by FALCPA account for over 90 percent of all documented food allergies in the U.S.
Which allergens must be labeled on a food label if it is contained in the food quizlet? ›
Major food allergens must be identified: Milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts (specific nut must be declared), wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. These account for 90% of food allergens.
Which allergen is not required to be labeled? ›
These are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and crustacean shellfish. Note that molluscan shellfish—such as oysters, clams, mussels or scallops—are not required to be labeled as a major allergen.
What is the new allergen regulation? ›
Before 1 October 2021, the allergen information for these products could be provided by any means. This includes being informed verbally by staff. Governments across the UK have decided that these foods will need to have ingredient and allergen information provided on the label from 1 October 2021.
Most food allergies are caused by peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, sesame seeds, fish and shellfish, soy, lupin and wheat. These must be declared whenever they are present in food as ingredients (or as components of food additives or processing aids), however small the amounts present.
What are the FDA labeling requirements for food? ›
The Nutrition Facts Label must show:
Servings per container. Mandatory nutrients (total calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, calcium, iron, potassium)
How many listed allergens are there? ›
However, it is only a legal requirement to indicate the presence of any of the 14 listed allergens when used as an ingredient in your food.
What are the new allergen regulations? ›
Before 1 October 2021, the allergen information for these products could be provided by any means. This includes being informed verbally by staff. Governments across the UK have decided that these foods will need to have ingredient and allergen information provided on the label from 1 October 2021.
What are the allergens? ›
Common allergens include:
- Animal proteins and animal dander.
- Dust.
- Drugs (such as antibiotics or medicines you put on your skin)
- Foods (such as egg, peanut, milk, nuts, soy, fish, animal meat, and wheat)
- Fungal spores.
- Insect and mite feces.
- Insect bites and stings (their venom)
- Natural latex rubber.
It's officially 2023, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is here to remind everyone (or at least food manufacturers) that sesame has joined the list of major food allergens.
What are the common allergens identified in this list? ›
Common food allergens
- Eggs.
- Milk.
- Mustard.
- Peanuts.
- Crustaceans and molluscs.
- Fish.
- Sesame seeds.
- Soy.
