Date of effect: 31 August 2023
Attention
Food importers.
Purpose
To remind food importers of regulatory changes to mandatory allergen declarations on food labels that come into effect on 25 February 2024.
Key points
- On 25 February 2021 the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ) was amended to introduce new mandatory allergen warning statement requirements.
- The new requirements include that allergen information must be declared:
- in a specific format and location on food labels, and
- using simple, plain English terms in bold font.
- The three-year transitional period to comply with new requirements ends on 25 February 2024. All food packaged and labelled after this date, must comply with the new requirements.
- Food packaged and labelled before 25 February 2024 can continue to be sold for up to 2 years.
- These changes will assist consumers find allergen information on food labels more quickly and easily and allow them to make safe food choices.
Instructions
- Familiarise yourself with the new allergen labelling requirements and the implementation dates.
- Have a plan in place to ensure your food labelling complies with the new requirements by 25 February 2024.
- During the transition period, ensure imported food declares all allergens present either in compliance with the previous requirements or the new requirements. Verify compliance by asking suppliers for ingredient information, product specification sheets and sample labels.
- Find out more information about the new allergen labelling requirements from Food Standards Australia New Zealand or from the 2023 Food Industry Guide to Allergen Management and Labelling for Australia and New Zealand.
Background
Undeclared allergens in food present a significant risk to human health for people with food allergies. The new allergen declaration labelling requirements makes it easier for consumers to identify allergens in food.
Food Standards Code 1.2.3 specifies the mandatory warning statements, advisory statements and declarations required for certain foods and ingredients, including components of food additives or processing aids, identified as causing allergic reactions. Foods that require mandatory allergen declarations are listed in Schedule 9 of the Code.
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