Food Allergies Affect 4.3% of Global Population as New Labelling Rules Adopted
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted new international guidelines on precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), introducing a science-based approach aimed at making “may contain” food allergy warnings more accurate, consistent and meaningful for consumers worldwide.
The guidelines, adopted during the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, seek to improve the way food manufacturers use precautionary allergen statements by ensuring they are based on scientific risk assessments rather than applied as a routine precaution.
Food allergies affect an estimated 4.3 percent of the global population, with reactions ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis. For millions of people living with food allergies, precautionary statements such as “may contain” can be critical in determining whether a product is safe to consume.
However, the use of such labels has varied widely across products and countries, with many jurisdictions lacking clear regulations. This inconsistency has often left consumers uncertain about the actual level of risk. As a result, some people avoid foods unnecessarily, while others become less likely to trust or follow the warnings.
Unintended allergen contamination can occur during food production even when an allergen is not intentionally added as an ingredient. For example, products manufactured on shared production lines or handled using shared equipment, storage or transport systems may contain trace amounts of allergens despite cleaning and other preventive measures.
Under the new Codex guidance, precautionary allergen labels should only be used when food businesses have implemented appropriate allergen management practices and scientific risk assessments show that a residual risk of unintended allergen presence remains.
The new guidance has been adopted as an annex to the General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (CXS 1-1985), establishing a harmonized, science- and risk-based framework for the use of precautionary allergen labelling.
The recommendations are based on scientific advice developed through seven joint expert consultations convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The framework is intended to help governments, regulators and the food industry assess allergen risks consistently while maintaining a high level of consumer protection.
According to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the guidance is expected to strengthen consumer confidence by improving the reliability of precautionary allergen statements while providing greater clarity for food manufacturers and regulatory authorities. It also complements existing Codex standards on allergen declaration and food allergen management, including the Code of Practice on Food Allergen Management for Food Business Operators (CXC 80-2020).
Established jointly by FAO and WHO, the Codex Alimentarius Commission develops international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in the food trade. Although Codex standards are voluntary, they are widely recognized as international benchmarks that support national food legislation and facilitate global trade.
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