Nut Allergy Labelling

Monday 16 December 2002

The aim of this research was to inform discussions on guidelines for nut trace contamination (NTC) warning designs for products that contain nuts/may have been contaminated by nut traces.

The research specifically set out to address the following:

• What consumers understood from the NTC warnings currently in use
• How much value they attached to the NTC warnings
• Which NTC warnings were the easiest to understand
• If there was a preference for a written NTC warning or a logo to indicate the inclusion of/contamination with nuts in products
• Response to the design elements used in the NTC warnings, including typeface, logo, use of colours, positioning on package.
• Sources used by consumers and ease of finding information.

Finally, the brief asked for guidance on the development of new NTC warnings if consumers felt they were necessary.