Labels 'cry wolf' over nuts

SUPERMARKETS and manufacturers are putting allergy sufferers at risk by using too many warnings about nut content, according to a report.

The "over-cautious" approach meant many consumers did not believe the warnings, the Grocer magazine reported.

Allergy advisers said that product labels "crying wolf" about nut or peanut content was encouraging complacency among consumers.

Food Standards Agency data from nut allergy patients who visited supermarkets found they were struggling to assess risk from products because of warnings appearing unnecessarily.

Hazel Gowland, of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, said there could be no guarantees from manufacturers of foods containing nuts and nut-free products at the same site, but guidelines should be clearer.