TikTok Shop food listings 'putting people at risk'

TikTok Shop food listings 'putting people at risk'

A recent discovery by the BBC has shed light on a concerning issue within the popular social media platform TikTok. Users are selling food items on TikTok Shop without providing crucial allergen information. These listings fail to mention whether the snacks and sweets contain any of the 14 main allergens that UK businesses are legally obligated to disclose. This oversight poses a significant risk to individuals with allergies who may unknowingly consume these products.

After the BBC brought attention to these problematic listings, TikTok took action by removing them from the platform. A spokesperson for TikTok assured users that they are committed to offering a safe and reliable shopping experience. However, it was revealed that despite the platform’s policies, sellers are still able to market food products without including ingredient or allergy information, leaving consumers vulnerable to potential health risks.

One example uncovered by the BBC was a seller named Mega Buy UK, who advertised a sweet treat related to the popular show Squid Game without disclosing any ingredient or allergen details. Similarly, The Nashville Burger listed a burger-making kit containing milk and wheat as “spices” and “flour,” respectively, on TikTok Shop, failing to provide accurate information regarding allergens. Despite TikTok’s removal of the highlighted ads, these sellers continue to operate on the platform without complying with essential allergen labeling standards.

Kate Lancaster, known as The Dairy Free Mum on TikTok, emphasized the importance of ensuring that TikTok holds sellers accountable for meeting safety and labeling requirements. She expressed deep concern over the lack of ingredient information, highlighting the potential dangers posed to individuals living with food allergies. Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, who co-founded The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation after her daughter’s tragic allergic reaction, urged TikTok to enforce strict regulatory measures on food sellers to prevent such incidents from occurring

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More