Changes to allergen labelling
New requirements for labelling the most common allergens in food commenced on 25 February 2021.
The changes to the Food Standards Code will help people find allergen information on food labels more quickly and easily, so they can make informed and safe food choices.
The changes include:
-
using consistent names that are simple, plain English and in bold font
-
displaying declarations in a specific format and location on food labels
Food businesses have 3 years to transition to the new requirements, plus an additional 2 years for food that has been correctly labelled before 25 February 2024.
During the 3 year transition, allergen declarations must follow the old or the new system. They cannot be a combination of both.
What are the changes?
Location and format
Declarations of one or more allergens must appear in the ingredient list and a co-located summary statement.
In the ingredient list and summary statement, allergen declarations must be in:
- bold font that contrasts distinctly with other text; and
- the same size or greater type
In the summary statement, allergen declarations must say:
- ‘Contains: (name of allergen/s)’
Allergen names
Required names listed in Schedule 9 of the Food Standards Code must be used for declarations.
In the ingredient list |
In the summary statement |
Additional information |
sulphites |
sulphites |
Added sulphites in concentrations of 10 mg/kg or more |
barley |
gluten |
Includes hybridised strains |
oats |
gluten |
Includes hybridised strains |
rye |
gluten |
Includes hybridised strains |
wheat |
wheat; and gluten if it is present |
Includes hybridised strains |
almond |
almond |
|
Brazil nut |
Brazil nut |
|
cashew |
cashew |
|
hazelnut |
hazelnut |
|
macadamia |
macadamia |
|
pecan |
pecan |
|
pine nut |
pine nut |
|
pistachio |
pistachio |
|
walnut |
walnut |
|
crustacean |
crustacean |
|
egg |
egg |
|
fish |
fish |
|
lupin |
lupin |
|
milk |
milk |
Includes all milk produced by animals |
mollusc |
mollusc |
|
peanut |
peanut |
|
sesame |
sesame |
|
soy, soya or soybean |
soy |
|
Exemptions
Food |
Exemptions |
barley oats rye |
present in beer or spirits |
wheat |
|
fish |
Isinglass derived from fish swim bladders and used as a clarifying agent in beer or wine |
milk |
Alcohol distilled from whey |
soybean |
|
Precautionary allergen labelling
There are no changes to precautionary allergen labelling such as ‘May contain’ statements.
However, it is recommended that food businesses consider the benefit to consumers of consistency with the changes to allergen labelling when making these statements.
For more information about precautionary allergen labelling for industry, visit the Allergen Bureau website.