2024 CAC Revisions to Food Allergen Labeling Standards

On November 8, 2024, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) officially published a consultation document entitled CL2024/88-CAC, which aims at a series of amendments to the allergen labelling standard. The release of this document marks another step forward for CAC in the field of food safety. According to the document, the public and interested parties are invited to submit their comments and suggestions by November 20, 2024 to allow for full discussion and evaluation of the upcoming revisions.

The main content of this revision involves the following aspects:
First, the document suggests that the definition of food allergens needs to be updated. The new definition will make it clear that food allergens are those food components capable of triggering specific immune-mediated responses in susceptible people, including but not limited to the food itself, food additives, and processing AIDS. In particular, these reactions are usually caused by proteins or protein derivatives in food. This amendment aims to define the scope of allergens more accurately, thus better protecting the health of consumers.

Secondly, the document recommends that the scientific name of the allergen ingredient must be clearly labeled in the food and ingredients to be declared. This measure will help consumers better understand the allergens contained in food products and make more informed consumption choices. For example, if the food contains a specific fish or crustacean ingredient, then the label should not only indicate "fish" or "crustacean", but also specify the specific species name, such as "salmon" instead of the general "fish". Such detailed labeling will greatly reduce the confusion and potential risks for consumers when purchasing food.

Finally, a revised proposal on sulfite concentrations is proposed. When the sulfite concentration in the food reaches or exceeds 10mg/kg, it must be identified using "sulfite" or "sulfite" as the ingredient name. This regulation will ensure that consumers can clearly know whether a food contains sulfite ingredients, so that those who are allergic or sensitive to sulfites can avoid eating food containing this ingredient.

The consultation document issued by the CAC puts forward a number of important recommendations in the revision of the allergen labeling standard, aiming to further improve food safety standards and protect the health rights of consumers through more precise definitions, clearer ingredient labeling and stricter ingredient labeling. The public and relevant stakeholders should actively participate in feedback and jointly promote the improvement of food labeling standards.