According to research by the UK Food Standards Authority (FSA), the 'vegan' label does not guarantee that a product is free from animal allergens such as milk, eggs or fish, as cross-contamination can occur during production.

The UK currently requires 14 allergens to be labelled, and manufacturers can also include a precautionary statement ("may contain" information).

According to FSA research, 62% of people who buy "vegan" products are confident that they are safe for people allergic to animal ingredients, a dangerous misconception. Furthermore, 54% of those sensitive to animal products use the label "vegan" to judge whether a food is safe for them, and 29% do not know whether they should check allergen warnings.

The FSA has launched a consumer information campaign, stressing that people with allergies should always check the "may contain" labels, even on "vegan" products, to decide if they are safe to eat.

"Free from" labels are strictly regulated, while "vegan" labels offer no such assurance. Therefore, it is particularly important for consumers with allergies to pay attention to the labelling of products and warnings about possible cross-contamination.

The food recalls issued by the UK food inspectorate between 2016 and 2021 were analysed from different perspectives, looking for trends and correlations. Food allergen recalls in the UK have increased until 2019, despite increasing consumer awareness and regulation. Recalls due to allergens (57.6%) were the main reason for a food recall, with milk being the most commonly identified allergen (25.2%). Most recalls (40%) were issued because the list of ingredients did not include the priority allergens.

Another problem is that legumes are increasingly used in vegan products, and pea protein is not on the mandatory allergen list, which can pose an additional risk to sensitive consumers.

Experts stress the importance of stricter regulation that would clearly define the requirements that a vegan product must meet. A single definition would not only help to protect consumer rights, but would also provide clear guidelines for manufacturers, thereby reducing the potential for misleading marketing. This is particularly important given the growth of the vegan market, driven by ethical awareness and demand for sustainability.