Last week, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) released data on Australian food recalls in 2018 which showed that of the 100 recalls in 2018, 46% were due to undeclared allergens.

Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia believe that this increase may be in part due to the community becoming more aware of the importance of reporting allergic reactions to packaged foods where their allergen is not listed as an ingredient. On the flip side, the results highlight the need for food manufacturers and food importers in Australia to be across mandatory labelling requirements. It is important for people with food allergy to have trust in the ingredient labels on the food they purchase and consume as an incorrectly labelled food item can result in a potentially life-threatening emergency or at worse, a fatal allergic reaction.

For more information read below media release from FSANZ

To report a reaction see Reporting an allergic reaction

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Media release from FSANZ: Food recall statistics released for 2018

Date: 13/03/2019

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released data on Australian food recalls in 2018, including new information on the causes of allergen labelling-related recalls.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said there were 100 recalls in 2018, up from 69 in 2017, with 46 per cent of these due to undeclared allergens, followed by microbial contamination (20 per cent).

“These results demonstrate that food businesses in Australia need to be across the mandatory allergen labelling requirements in the Food Standards Code,” Mr Booth said.

“FSANZ has identified four key causes of allergen-related recalls, including lack of skills and knowledge of labelling requirements, supplier verification, packaging errors and accidental cross contamination.

“Correct allergen labelling can mean the difference between life and death for people with food allergies, so it is vital that food businesses meet labelling requirements.”

Mr Booth said FSANZ, along with enforcement agencies, continues to communicate with food businesses to ensure they understand labelling requirements and their importance.

More information

Read about the food recall statistics for 2018

Information about allergen labelling

Note: The media release from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) reproduced with permission.