A legume that is a declared allergen under the Food Standards Code, sometimes used in flours and meat alternatives, and capable of causing allergic reactions.
A legume that is a declared allergen under the Food Standards Code, sometimes used in flours and meat alternatives, and capable of causing allergic reactions. Lupin is a legume, related to peanut and other pulses, whose seeds can be milled into flour or used in a range of foods including some bakery products, pasta, and plant-based meat alternatives. Under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, lupin is one of the declared allergens, so its presence in food must always be declared. It is one of the less familiar members of the declared allergen list, which makes it easy to overlook. Lupin is on the declared list because it can cause allergic reactions, which are immune responses that can be significant. There is also a recognised link with peanut allergy, as some people who are allergic to peanut may also react to lupin. Because lupin can appear in products where consumers might not expect a legume, clear declaration is important so that allergic people can identify and avoid it. For an Australian food business, the practical challenge with lupin is awareness: because it is used in flours, bakery goods, pasta and meat alternatives, it can be present in products where staff do not think to look for it. Checking supplier specifications and ingredient labels for lupin is essential, particularly for baked goods and plant-based products where lupin flour or protein may be used. When lupin is present it must be declared on packaged food, including under Plain English Allergen Labelling, and allergen information must be available for unpackaged food. Given the link with peanut allergy, it is worth treating lupin declarations with the same seriousness as more familiar allergens, so that a customer who reacts to lupin, or who is cautious because of a peanut allergy, gets accurate information. A bakery introduces a new high-protein loaf made partly with lupin flour but does not update its allergen information. A customer with a known lupin allergy, and a history of peanut allergy, buys the loaf believing it is a plain wheat bread and has a reaction. The failure was not tracking a less familiar declared allergen, lupin, through to the allergen declaration for the new product.
Frequently asked questions
Is lupin really a declared allergen in Australia?
Yes. Lupin is one of the declared allergens under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, so its presence in food must be declared. It is a legume sometimes used in flours and meat alternatives and can cause allergic reactions.
Which foods might contain lupin?
Lupin can appear in some bakery products, pasta, flours and plant-based meat alternatives. Because it is a less familiar allergen, it is easy to overlook, so checking supplier specifications and ingredient labels is important where these products are used.
Is there a link between lupin and peanut allergy?
Yes, there is a recognised link. Some people who are allergic to peanut may also react to lupin, as both are legumes. This is one reason lupin declarations should be treated seriously so that peanut-allergic and lupin-allergic customers get accurate information.
How must lupin be declared on packaged food?
Lupin must be declared when present, and on packaged food it is declared like other allergens under Plain English Allergen Labelling, including in bold in the ingredient list and in the Contains summary statement using its plain-English name.
Does lupin need to be declared on unpackaged food?
Yes. As with other declared allergens, allergen information about lupin must be available for food that is not labelled, either displayed with the food or provided to the customer on request.
