Alergênicos alimentares: o entendimento da sociedade e a compreensão da rotulagem

Abstract

The prevalence of food allergy has increased in recente years due to changes in dietary habits. Food allergy consists of an adverse reaction that occurs when the organism recognises the food as an agressor entity to itself mediated by immunological mechanisms. Labeling is the mais tool between the consumer and the product. The objective of this work is to avaliate if the RDC nº 26 02/07/2015 is being properly applied. Warning labeling legislation in Brazil, United States and Europe were compared and also the knowledge/understanding of the Brazilian population in general about food allergens labeling and mainly in relation to the presence of allergens were evaluated. A qualitative and quantitative research from a discriptive point of view was done. Some research were done in the mais supermarkets in Uberaba to check the products and the labeling legislation about food allergens. An online survey questionnaire was applied through the platform google forms. The conclusion is that a clear, objective and readable information is very important and useful to allergy suffers since the prevention is the way for people to protect themselves from food allergy. Brazilian warning labeling legislation about food allergens was similar to the ones from other countries in the world, with clear language and easy for consumers to understand. The results was satisfactory in terms of compliance with the required guidelines.