The 2026 AIFST Convention brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology, safety and innovation in Melbourne on 27 & 28 July, for two days of learning, networking and inspiration across the agrifood sector.
On Day 1, the Allergen Bureau took to the stage with “Beyond the Label: Building Consumer Confidence in PAL,” held in Session 1.4. Going into the session, nobody knew for certain what Codex countries (including Australia) would do about regulating Precautionary Allergen Labelling. So the panel set out to explore the options open to governments, whether those options were all equal, and whether any of them might shift consumer perception.
We were joined by an expert panel with real depth on this issue:
- Jasmine Lacis Lee, Mérieux NutriSciences AQ
- Amanda Evans Lara, BRCGS
- Dr Vicki McWilliam, National Allergy Council
- Jenny Hazelton, Past Australian delegation lead for Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) and PAL working group Chair
Together, they unpacked what the future may hold for PAL, and what it could mean for business, risk management approaches, and consumer trust.
For anyone who manages allergen risk, it was a conversation well worth being part of with the group agreeing that
- Whilst there are a percentage of businesses who are yet to understand that PAL should not be applied overcautiously, there are a considerable number of products available in Australian supermarkets that have been suitably risk assessed for allergen cross contact risk
- the science is strong and therefore consumers with Food Allergy must understand PAL’s matter.
- Products without a PAL need to be identifiable as suitable too
- There is more work to do building understanding, accepting risk and working together as managing food allergies is a shared responsibility.
