BACKGROUND Allergen information on product labels is crucial in food allergy management. Though, inadequacy in current labelling practices are one of the major causes for accidental reactions upon consuming prepacked food products. OBJECTIVE This study analyses current status of communicating allergen information on food labels and provides practical recommendations for improving the label format based on communication theory. METHODS Product labels (N 288) of seven food categories from private label products and brands were obtained at three retailers in the Netherlands. Information regarding the 14 EU-regulated allergens was evaluated by the frequency of emphasizing allergens in the ingredients list, use of precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), icons, and an allergen information section. Effectiveness of communication was assessed evaluating readability and findability of information on allergens using principles of Gestalt and Cognitive Load theories. RESULTS As requested by EU regulation 1169/2011, emphasizing allergens in the ingredients list was almost 100%, all other presentations of information on allergens on labels was highly diverse. A separate allergen information section was present on most private label products. This section could, but not necessarily did, repeat allergens from the ingredients list and/or give a PAL. Brands often provided a PAL at the end of the ingredients list. Part of the products displayed an icon at different locations of the label. Label background, a lack of cohesion and variation in location of topics hamper the identification of relevant information on allergens by (allergic) consumers. Recommendations include a standardized order for mandatory and voluntary topics on the label and a separate allergen information section. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Overall, consumers encounter a wide and inconsistent range in ways of presentation of allergen information on labels. Standardization according to basic design principles can improve usability and support safe food purchases for allergic consumers.

中文翻译：

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过敏原标签：从沟通的角度来看当前的做法和改进

背景产品标签上的过敏原信息在食品过敏管理中至关重要。然而，目前标签做法的不足是在食用预包装食品时发生意外反应的主要原因之一。目的本研究分析食品标签上过敏原信息交流的现状，并基于交流理论为改进标签格式提供实用建议。方法 从荷兰的三个零售商处获得来自自有品牌产品和品牌的七个食品类别的产品标签 (N 288)。通过在成分列表中强调过敏原的频率、预防性过敏原标签 (PAL) 的使用、图标和过敏原信息部分来评估有关 14 种欧盟监管过敏原的信息。使用格式塔和认知负荷理论的原则评估了沟通的有效性，评估了过敏原信息的可读性和可查找性。结果 根据欧盟法规 1169/2011 的要求，在成分列表中强调过敏原的比例几乎为 100%，标签上过敏原信息的所有其他呈现方式高度多样化。大多数自有品牌产品都有单独的过敏原信息部分。本节可以（但不一定）重复成分列表中的过敏原和/或提供 PAL。品牌通常在成分列表的末尾提供 PAL。部分产品在标签的不同位置显示了一个图标。标签背景、缺乏凝聚力和主题位置的变化阻碍了（过敏）消费者对过敏原相关信息的识别。建议包括标签上强制性和自愿主题的标准化顺序以及单独的过敏原信息部分。结论和临床相关性 总体而言，消费者在标签上呈现过敏原信息的方式范围广泛且不一致。根据基本设计原则进行标准化可以提高可用性并支持过敏消费者安全购买食品。