Three users were identified as selling products without adequate allergen and ingredient labels.
One product highlighted by the BBC had a label which read “not applicable” where the allergen information would usually be listed.
TikTok Shop, an e-commerce platform run by social media firm TikTok, has since deleted the listings brought to its attention but the sellers remain active.
In the UK, food business operators in the retail and catering sector are required to inform customers if any food or drink products they provide contain any of the 14 allergens recognised by food law.
When approached for comment by the BBC, a TikTok spokesperson said: “We have policies and processes in place with our sellers to ensure the safety of food and beverages sold on our platform and we will remove products that breach these policies.”
Allergen labelling errors are one of the primary causes of product recalls, with several food items recalled in the UK in the past week for this reason.
‘Putting people at risk’
Reacting to the findings of the investigation, nutrition and regulation adviser at food consultancy The Nutrient Gap, Georgina Stewart, explained that unlabelled food was “putting people at risk”.
“This is more than just a regulatory hiccup, it’s dangerous,” Stewart said.
“We’ve got UK-based sellers pushing food products with no mention of milk, wheat or soya – some of the biggest allergen risks. TikTok say they have policies in place. But clearly, policy without enforcement is just window dressing.”
Stewart added that platforms like TikTok Shop cannot claim ignorance and must vet all sellers properly, while also blocking those that do not comply.
“The average consumer won’t know to look for proper allergen info,” she continued.
“But we do. Food businesses should know better. Platforms should too.”
Meanwhile, Simon Williams, the chief executive of allergen charity Anaphylaxis UK, warned allergy sufferers to avoid any product that lacks proper labelling.
“If the ingredient and allergen information isn’t there, don’t buy it – you’re putting your life in grave danger,” he said.
