FSANZ is working on a proposal to make allergen labeling requirements clearer and more consistent, to help food allergen-sensitive consumers and food businesses. The Food Standards Code already requires the mandatory declaration of 11 foods or substances which can cause severe allergic and other. However, it does not include requirements for how and where the declarations must be made on food labels.
 
In summary, these changes would require:
  • the use of mandatory specified terms for allergen declarations.
  • the separate declaration of mollusks; individual tree nuts: almond, Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pine nut, pistachio and walnut; and wheat, barley, rye, oats or spelt or their hybrids
  • for packaged foods: declaration of allergens in the statement of ingredients using bold font and in a separate emboldened allergen summary statement; and use of the terms ‘gluten’ or 'tree nut' in the allergen summary statement when these are present.
 
The deadline for comments is February 27, 2020.
 
More information

Join us

Sign up to become a member of the INC and discover the benefits of INC membership. Or subscribe and have access to our magazine, industry newsletters and industry directory.

Privacy Preference Center