We call upon the UK Government to introduce legislation requiring all food manufacturers, retailers and producers to use a clear, standardised colour-coding system for all allergens listed on food packaging — including peanuts, tree nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, brazils, pistachios, macadamias), dairy, gluten, eggs, soya, sesame, and all other major allergens. 

Currently, allergen information is often written in small text, in the same colour as other ingredients, or hidden within a long list, or not highlighted clearly enough, making it very easy for people to miss vital information. This leads to accidental exposure, severe allergic reactions, and in tragic cases, fatalities. Separating them is essential because a person may be allergic to one but safe to consume the other.

Colour-coding allergens would:

• Make allergen information instantly visible and easy to spot

• Help children and young people to identify exactly what they can and cannot eat independently

• Assist those with visual impairments, dyslexia, or learning difficulties

• Create a consistent system across all brands, making shopping safer and simpler for everyone

A standardised colour system (for example: red for peanuts, orange for tree nuts, yellow for dairy, blue for gluten, etc.) would be a simple, low-cost change that would drastically improve food safety and protect the health and wellbeing of millions of people across the UK.