The latest version of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Standard was published in January 2008 and contains more detail on allergen management. BRC director of global standards Dr Geoff Spriegel acknowledged that while allergen management has always been part of the BRC Standard, many manufacturers, retailers and lobby groups have criticised it for being short on detail, and in some cases, set up their own standards and certification schemes rather than following the BRC Standard.

The new version has addressed many of the issues raised, with significantly expanded sections on physical segregation, exclusive equipment, labelling procedures, training, cleaning regimes, changeovers and rework. BRC auditors will now need to receive specialised training so they can identify the issues and problems when they visit food manufacturing facilities.