Declared allergens — Food Safety Glossary

The specific allergens the Food Standards Code requires to be declared on food, including gluten-containing cereals, crustacea, egg, fish, milk, peanuts, tree…

Frequently asked questions

What is the full list of declared allergens in Australia?

Cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt and their hybrids), crustacea, egg, fish, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, soy, lupin, added sulphites at 10 mg/kg or more, and molluscs. All must be declared when present in food.

At what level do added sulphites have to be declared?

Added sulphites must be declared when present at a concentration of 10 mg/kg or more in the food. Below that level declaration is not required, but sulphites are still a common cause of adverse reactions.

Are all tree nuts treated as one allergen?

Tree nuts are a declared allergen category, but the specific tree nut present should be named (for example almond, cashew or walnut) so consumers with a specific tree nut allergy can identify the risk accurately.

Is lupin really a declared allergen?

Yes. Lupin is one of the declared allergens under the Food Standards Code. It is a legume sometimes used in flours and meat alternatives, and it can cause allergic reactions, including in some people allergic to peanut.

Do these allergens have to be declared even in tiny amounts?

When a declared allergen is a deliberate ingredient it must be declared no matter how small the amount. The situation is different for unintended trace presence from cross-contact, which is handled through voluntary precautionary labelling rather than a mandatory Contains declaration.

Allergen Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) Gluten Precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Food safety glossary Food safety guides
Home Features Free Tools Food Safety Australia Food Safety Glossary Blog Pricing About Contact