Understanding food labels for allergies

• Most common allergens must be declared on the food label if they are included as an ingredient in a food.
• Manufacturers may add precautionary allergen statements to food labels
• Precautionary allergen statements are voluntary.
• Some individuals are extremely sensitive and even trace amounts of a food can cause allergic reactions.

The current Food Standards Code (external site) requires that the most common allergens must be declared on the food label if they are present in a food, even if present in only small amounts. Common allergens include:

• peanuts

• tree nuts, for example:
  
  • cashews
  • almonds
  • walnuts
• shellfish
• fish
• cow’s milk
• eggs
• sesame
• soybean. Example of how food allergens are often declared on a food label.

While gluten (not wheat) must also be declared on the label, you need to be careful to avoid all wheat ingredients (not just gluten) if you have a wheat allergy.

If a severe health risk is posed by an allergen, the Food Standards Code also requires a warning statement on food packaging. For example, a food containing the bee product royal jelly may cause severe allergic reactions, particularly if you have asthma or an allergy.

What about precautionary allergen statements?

Some labels include “may contain (allergen)” statements, for example, may contain traces of peanuts and tree nuts.

Manufacturers may add these precautionary statements to food labels if there may be traces of the allergen present. This may be due to shared equipment or cross contamination in the handling or storage of ingredients.

It is important to note that precautionary allergen statements are voluntary (external site).

Some individuals are extremely sensitive and even trace amounts can cause allergic reactions.

If a precautionary allergen statement is used, schools and child care services should not give the food to students with a known allergy to that food, unless permission has been given by the parent or guardian.

Ingredients to avoid

Please note: This is not a complete or comprehensive list of ingredients to avoid but is intended as a helpful aid. It is not meant to replace medical advice.

This information has been provided by Anaphylaxis Australia Inc. (external site)

More information:

• Call 000 in an anaphylaxis emergency
• Call 1800 022 222 healthdirect Australia (external site) for 24 hour health advice
• Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) (external site)
• Anaphylaxis Australia (external site)
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand (external site).

Remember

• Most common allergens must be declared on the food label if they are included as an ingredient in a food.
• Manufacturers may add precautionary allergen statements to food labels
• Precautionary allergen statements are voluntary.
• Some individuals are extremely sensitive and even trace amounts of a food can cause allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. 

---

---

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.