Many food businesses are failing to provide accurate allergen information to consumers, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has warned.

It has just released the findings of an audit which found an unacceptable level of non-compliance by food businesses when it came to providing consumers with accurate written information on 14 specified allergens in non-pre-packed food.

As part of this audit, 50 businesses, including pubs, restaurants, takeaways and hotels, were assessed to determine if the correct written allergen information was being provided to consumers. All audits were unannounced.

Three in every 100 people in Ireland have a food allergy and they require accurate information about the foods they are consuming or else they could face serious, and sometimes fatal, health consequences.

All food businesses are legally obliged to provide consumers with accurate written information in relation to 14 allergens, irrespective of whether the food is pre-packed or non-pre-packed.

However, the audit found that 32% of food businesses did not provide any written allergen information and among those that did, just 24% provided accurate allergen information.

Overall, 88% of the businesses audited required some sort of corrective action.

The FSAI expressed its concern that many of the businesses that had not provided any written allergen information said that they were not aware that this must be made available without a consumer having to ask for it.

In other cases, while allergen information was provided, it was incorrect.

FSAI chief executive, Dr Pamela Byrne, described the findings as very worrying, as they suggest a lack of awareness or willingness by food businesses to prioritise consumer safety.

"Allergic reactions to food make people ill and in particular situations can be fatal. Whether consumers are eating out, getting takeaways or having food delivered to their home or workplace, food businesses have a legal obligation to provide accurate food allergen information in writing," she commented.

She said that the level of non-compliance among businesses ‘is a cause for major concern' and she urged them to take action in order to protect the health of the public.

In order to highlight the seriousness of this issue, the FSAI is undertaking a national information campaign over the next eight weeks.

The campaign will run in print, online and broadcast media, with strong messages aimed at highlighting the potential consequences that missing or inaccurate allergen information can have on an individual's health.