Post by FAO

The FAO- World Health Organization Codex Alimentarius Commission has agreed to adopt new international guidelines on the use of precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), marking an important step towards making "may contain" statements more meaningful, science-based and consistent for consumers with food allergies around the world. The use of labels such as "may contain" varies widely across products and countries and remains unregulated in many parts of the world. As a result, consumers often face inconsistent information that can make it difficult to judge the real level of risk. The new Codex guidance aims to ensure such warnings are used only when that risk has been scientifically assessed and cannot be adequately controlled through good allergen management practices. The new Codex guidelines establish a harmonized, science- and risk-based approach to the use of precautionary allergen labelling. Rather than serving as a substitute for good manufacturing practices, such statements should be used only after food businesses have implemented appropriate allergen management measures and conducted a scientific risk assessment demonstrating that a residual risk from unintended allergen presence remains. By promoting a harmonized approach to precautionary allergen labelling, the new Codex text aims to improve consumer confidence while providing greater clarity for food manufacturers and regulators Read more: https://lnkd.in/eYPSg49q #CodexCAC49