The Allergen Bureau's voluntary, science-based programme that helps food businesses assess unintended allergen cross-contact and decide when a may be present…
No. VITAL is a voluntary programme run by the Allergen Bureau, not a mandatory part of the Food Standards Code. Businesses are not required to use it, but it provides a recognised, science-based method for deciding when precautionary allergen labelling is warranted.
VITAL is developed and managed by the Allergen Bureau, an industry body based in Australia. The Bureau maintains the methodology, reference levels and supporting tools that businesses use to carry out cross-contact risk assessments.
VITAL helps a business assess unintended allergen cross-contact and decide whether a precautionary may be present statement is justified. It does not decide which deliberate ingredients must be declared, which is set by the Food Standards Code.
Mandatory declaration under the Code covers allergens deliberately present in a food. VITAL addresses the separate, voluntary question of unintended trace allergens from cross-contact, guiding whether and how to word a precautionary statement.
No. VITAL is an assessment tool, not a substitute for good practice. Businesses still need cleaning, segregation and other controls to minimise cross-contact; VITAL then assesses the residual risk that remains after those controls are applied.