News

In February 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a virtual public meeting and listening session on food allergen thresholds and their potential applications, signalling a major step forward in how allergen risks may be assessed and managed…

Allergen Alert, a French biotechnology startup supported by bioMérieux, drew global attention by winning Best Startup at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), for a device that promises laboratory-grade allergen detection at the table. The battery-powered unit, reportedly scheduled for…

Following amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code in 2021, the transition to Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) has now reached its final milestone. The PEAL requirements were introduced under Proposal P1044 and incorporated into Standard 1.2.3 –…

Last month, we explored the application of VITAL® by suppliers of raw materials and ingredients. Central to the VITAL philosophy is a hierarchy of allergen management: The Allergen Bureau maintains that appropriate application of the VITAL Program — a quantitative…

The Allergen Bureau is exploring a critical issue in allergen management: how cross contact information should be communicated through the supply chain to support accurate labelling decisions.This two-part series examines differing industry perspectives and clarifies how the VITAL® Program framework…

Food manufacturers rely on environmental swabs to confirm that cleaning procedures in production facilities are effective and that no unintentional food allergens remain on surfaces or in products. These swabs are typically sent to third-party laboratories for analysis. However, delays…