Proposal to change allergen labelling requirements

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on a proposal to remove mandatory allergen labelling requirements for certain foods and ingredients where processing results in negligible amounts of protein being left in the final product.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said the products being considered are exempt from allergen labelling requirements in some parts of the world, including Europe.

“In some cases, processing means products are essentially stripped of allergenic proteins, making them safe for consumers who have an allergy to that protein,” McCutcheon said.

The products being considered are certain glucose syrups made from wheat starch, fully refined soy oil, soy derivatives (tocopherols and phytosterols) and distilled alcohol from wheat or whey.

“FSANZ conducted a thorough safety assessment on the proposal, which included consulting with allergy specialists and industry,” McCutcheon said.

The closing date for submissions is 23 September 2015.