FSANZ requirements in Standard 1.2.3 that force declared allergens to be named in plain, consistent language, shown in bold and summarised in a set format on…
Plain English Allergen Labelling is set out in Standard 1.2.3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. It governs how declared allergens must be named, formatted and summarised on packaged food that requires a label.
Declared allergens must be shown in bold wherever they appear in the statement of ingredients and be brought together in a summary statement starting with the word Contains, using the required plain-English names for each allergen source.
No. PEAL changes the wording, format and prominence of allergen declarations. The list of allergens that must be declared is unchanged; PEAL simply makes those declarations clearer and more consistent for consumers.
The specific labelling format applies to packaged food requiring a label. For food that is not labelled, allergen information must still be provided, but the detailed PEAL format for the ingredient list and Contains statement is aimed at labelled packaged products.
Precautionary statements such as may be present are voluntary and must be kept separate from the mandatory Contains summary statement, so consumers do not confuse a possible trace with a deliberate ingredient.