Food allergen rules

What is an allergen declaration?

An allergen declaration is how a food business tells allergic customers that an allergen is present in a food. A food business must follow the rules when declaring allergens.

What allergens need to be declared?

Only the most common allergens need to be declared. These allergens are listed in the table below and are from Schedule 9 of the Food Standards Code.

Note: it is important to also make sure ingredient information is accurate. See Identifying allergens accurately for more about this.

What allergen names can be used?

Only the 'required names' listed in Schedule 9 of the Food Standards Code can be used for declarations. Allergen declarations must appear in the ingredient list and in a co-located summary statement.

The most common allergens listed in the table above must be declared if they are used as an ingredient, additive or processing aid, no matter how small the amount, with some exemptions. (For example, added sulphites in concentrations of less than 10 mg/kg do not need to be declared).

This includes any allergens present in compound ingredients, such as some sauces or dried fruit.
 

How is an allergen declaration made?

How an allergen is declared will depend on whether the food is packaged, unpackaged or provided in a retail food service setting.

1. Packaged food that requires a label 

If a food is packaged and has to be labelled, the allergen declaration is made by listing allergen information on the product label.

Location and format

Allergen declarations must appear in the ingredient list and in a co-located summary statement.

In the ingredient list and summary statement, allergen declarations must be in:

• bold font that contrasts distinctly with other text; and
• the same size or greater type

In the summary statement, allergen declarations must say:

• Contains: (name of allergen/s)

Use the Generate an allergen declaration tool below to see how an allergen must be displayed.

2. Food that doesn’t require a label 

Where a food is unpackaged or doesn’t require a label, allergen information must be displayed in connection with the display of the food or provided to the customer on request. 

3. Retail food service 

In a food retail setting such as a restaurant or café, food allergens must be declared if a customer asks for this information. 

The declaration must be made no matter how small the amount, with some exceptions. (For example, added sulphites in concentrations of less than 10 mg/kg do not need to be declared).

Visit Education and training for the food service industry on our Allergies and intolerances page for more information.

Food businesses must make sure that the labels on the food they supply correctly list ingredients and the most common allergens.

This includes correctly listing ingredients and allergens in documents supplied with the food such as product information forms (PIFs).

Visit Identifying allergens accurately for more information.

Warning and advisory statements are required for certain foods or ingredients that may cause health risks for some consumers. They are different to allergen declarations, which tell allergic customers when an allergen is present in a food.

See Warning and advisory statements for more information. 

Precautionary allergen labelling includes 'may contain' or 'may be present' statements about allergens, such as 'may contain peanuts'. They are voluntary statements made by food suppliers and the Food Standards Code does not regulate them.

Guidance for the food industry about the use of these statements and the management of allergen cross-contamination can be found on the Allergen Bureau’s website.

Food service retailers

Food service retailers such as cafés, restaurants and pubs, are legally required to provide information on allergens that may be present in food if requested by a customer.

This includes providing allergen information for packaged or unpackaged food made and sold on the premises.

If the food requires a label, the declaration must be: 

• on the label.  

If the food does not require a label, the declaration must be:

• on display next to the food, or 
• provided to a customer on request.

Important strategies that businesses can use to manage allergy risks include:

• implement an effective allergen management plan
• train front-of-house and back-of-house staff in food allergen risks, management and communication
• use a system to provide clear and accurate allergen information
• manage the unintentional presence of food allergens.

Resources, including templates that you can use to create recipes, chart allergens and safely substitute ingredients are available on the All about Allergens resource hub.

Food manufacturers

Food manufacturers are legally required to provide information on allergens that may be present in the food they supply.

This includes providing allergen information for packaged or unpackaged food. The declaration must be: 

• on the label if the food requires a label, or 
• provided to a customer on request if the food does not require a label.

Important strategies that food manufacturers can use to manage allergy risks include:

• implement an effective allergen management plan
• train all staff in food allergen risks, management and communication
• use a system to provide clear and accurate information
• manage the unintentional presence of food allergens

Visit Identifying allergens accurately for more information.

Food importers

Food importers are responsible for ensuring imported food is properly labelled and providing clear and accurate allergen information about their products.

Food importers must:

• use a system to provide clear and accurate allergen information
• ensure their imports are properly labelled.

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New rules for labelling the most common allergens in food commenced on 25 February 2021.

The Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) changes to the Food Standards Code aims to help people find allergen information on food labels more quickly and easily so they can make informed and safe food choices.

All information on this page follows the new system. Use the Generate an allergen declaration tool below to see how an allergen must be displayed.

The changes include: 

• using consistent names that are simple, plain English and in bold font  
• displaying declarations in a specific format and location on food labels.  

Food businesses had 3 years to transition to the new requirements, plus an additional 2 years for food that was correctly labelled before 25 February 2024.

During the 3-year transition, allergen declarations must follow the old or the new system. They cannot be a combination of both.

The information on this page follows Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) rules.