By Ian Reynolds-Young
The AVA has come out punching at the start of 2013, with a members meeting on 9 Jan. The caucus was urgently called just before Christmas, as exclusively reported here on Planet Vending, with the objective of focusing on vending’s reaction to EU legislation that means allergen labeling on food sold through vending machines will become mandatory.
The regulations are scheduled to come into force in December 2014.
The meeting enjoyed a good turn out. ‘We were delighted that so many members made the effort to attend in person and a good number have been in contact subsequently’, AVA CEO Jonathan Hilder told PV.
AVA Action Plan
The UK interpretation of the regulation allows great flexibility in how the vending industry communicates to consumers. Having taken on board the input of members and having sought further advice, the AVA has announced the following action plan:
- The AVA will expand the scope and content of its Quality System to include allergen awareness training (basic informative level)
- The AVA will conduct a review of its supplier management processes – particularly with regard to any risks from cross contamination
- The AVA will create an industry standard ‘Allergen Aware’ label that will assure consumers that the vending industry is are taking its responsibilities very seriously. (NB this label will ONLY be available to AVA members and the AVA will adopt technology on the label to protect the AVA brand and enhance the value of membership to its members.
- The AVA will seek to exploit all new technologies that give consumers, particularly those who require allergen advice, a high level of assurance about the ingredients incorporated in their vended purchase.
- The AVA recognises that all the machine manufacturers (particularly those members of EVMMA) are working to deliver future solutions and looks forward to the fruits of their R&D.
‘We’ll keep members informed as to how this activity is progressing’, Jonathan said, ‘particularly as we continue to build a good relationship with bodies such as DEFRA and the Food Standards Agency.’
The AVA has asked us, on their behalf, to thank Douwe Egberts for their offer to sponsor the design and creation of the ‘Allergen Aware’ label. Consider it done!
Of course, if any members have ideas for the label design, the AVA would love to hear them.
