Allergen labelling is mandatory — now is the time to get it right

Food Allergy Week, 14–20 May, will start a month-long campaign by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) aimed at ensuring food businesses get their mandatory allergen labelling right.

According to Mark Booth, CEO, FSANZ: “Food businesses in Australia and New Zealand need to be across the mandatory allergen labelling requirements in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

“Correct allergen labelling can mean the difference between life and death for people with food allergies so it is vital that food businesses meet labelling requirements.

“There are currently nine foods which must be declared whenever they are present as ingredients or as components of food additives or processing aids. Lupins are expected to be added to the list this month.

“If the food is not in a package or is not required to have a label (for example, food prepared at and sold from a takeaway shop), this information must either be displayed in connection with the food or provided to the purchaser if requested.”

FSANZ will be running a social media and media outreach campaign during the month to educate food businesses about the importance of allergen labelling.

“FSANZ supports the important work of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and its New Zealand counterpart — Allergy New Zealand — in raising awareness about food allergies. Both these organisations also provide important input to allergen-related work undertaken by FSANZ.”