Ingredient lists on packaged food help people make informed choices about whether to eat it. However, food labelling laws vary between countries, resulting in different rules on what must be included on a food label. If food is imported into Australia, it must be labelled according to Australian food law.
Language and translation challenges can also complicate matters when on an airline or in another country. If a food is made in another country and served while outside of Australia or its airspace, Australian food labelling rules do not apply.
Also, Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) statements, such as “May contain” on packaged food are not regulated in Australia or in most other countries, so they are not enforceable under the law. In Australia, food manufacturers do not have to include a PAL statement on their packaged food, even if there is a risk of cross-contamination. While some manufacturers use formal risk assessments to help them decide whether to include a PAL statement, others do not. A&AA strongly advises people with food allergies not to eat any food with a PAL statement during air travel, even if they typically eat foods these foods, as it is hard to get medical help while in a plane.