People with food allergies, or caring for children with food allergy, need to know if a food is safe before they buy it. They are dependent on the allergen declarations on labels, or by food services giving information on request, being accurate.
At the same time, customers with food allergies and intolerances are an increasingly significant consumer group. It is currently estimated one in ten infants will have a food allergy by 12 months of age. In many cases, their households will be looking for safe food they can all eat, so as not to bring the food allergen concerned into their home.
New Zealand’s Food Safety Regulations require food businesses to make sure food allergens don't accidentally get into a product. This can happen through cross-contact with any food or food ingredient that contains allergens.
At the same time, food businesses must ensure their labels accurately reflect what is in the food. If mistakes are made, and an allergen in the food is not declared, there is significant risk to food-allergic consumers. This can also be costly for food businesses such as having to initiate a food recall, or even being prosecuted.
Allergy New Zealand works with the food and hospitality industries as well as regulators to assist the food industry with understanding allergen management and to improve allergen labelling.
It is recommended food businesses wanting to learn more about Allergen Management, visit the Allergen Bureau website: Allergen Bureau | Informing Industry
For more information, see the pages on:
Food Standards
Food Regulations
Resources for Food Industry