By Jasmine Lacis-Lee, President, Allergen Bureau
Last week, we gathered for the Allergen Bureau’s Annual General Meeting and Members Meeting, followed by a very special evening celebrating 20 years of the Allergen Bureau. It was both a professional milestone and a personal moment of pride to see how far we have come as a community – two decades of leadership, collaboration, and commitment to best practice allergen management across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
AGM and Members Meeting
The afternoon provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on achievements from the past year, discuss emerging priorities for 2026 and beyond, and reconnect with members and stakeholders who continue to drive our shared mission.
We had three topics bringing together global and practical perspectives to the future of allergen management:
- FAO/WHO Insights: Guiding Risk Assessment, Jasmine Lacis-Lee, Allergen Bureau
- How Current Standards Enhance Allergen Control and Compliance, Amanda McCarthy, BRCGS
- AI Applications in the Retail Sector, Jessica Feather, Woolworths
These discussions reinforced what makes the Allergen Bureau unique — our ability to unite science, industry, and collaboration to deliver practical, evidence-based outcomes.
20-Year Celebration and Awards
The evening celebration at The Grounds of Alexandria was a chance to pause, connect, and reflect on two decades of progress. Surrounded by founding members, industry partners, and long-term collaborators, we honoured the collective effort that has shaped the Allergen Bureau into the trusted, independent voice it is today.
Former Chair Kirsten Grinter shared an inspiring overview of the Allergen Bureau’s journey — from its beginnings as a small working group of dedicated food industry professionals to its evolution as a globally recognised authority in allergen management. Kirsti paid tribute to all past and present board members, staff, and the many member companies that have supported the Allergen Bureau over the last two decades.
A special recognition was also made to Maria Said for her decades of collaboration and advocacy from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA). As Maria transitions into a new senior advocacy role, we expressed deep gratitude for her partnership and warmly welcomed Sarah Emery, the new CEO of A&AA, into our continuing “food allergen management family.”
Above: Kirsten Grinter (Allergen Bureau), Maria Said (A&AA) and Jasmine Lacis-Lee (Allergen Bureau)
Honouring Excellence — Our Inaugural Life Members
The introduction of the Allergen Bureau Life Membership marked a significant milestone — recognising those who have made extraordinary, non-financial contributions to the Bureau and the broader allergen management community.
- Fiona Fleming — For foundational leadership in establishing the Allergen Bureau and embedding trust and science at its core.
- Kirsten Grinter — For two decades of leadership and service, including guiding the development of the VITAL® risk assessment framework.
- Dr Steve Taylor — For pioneering scientific leadership as Chair of the VITAL Scientific Expert Panel (VSEP) and advancing global acceptance of allergen Reference Doses.
- Rob (Robin) Sherlock — For analytical and technical expertise and for founding the Allergen Testing Special Interest Group, improving testing standards and collaboration across the industry.
Our 20-year celebration was not just about honouring history — it was a reminder of the power of shared purpose. Every milestone has been achieved through collaboration, respect, and commitment to science-based progress.
As we move forward, the Allergen Bureau remains dedicated to empowering industry, protecting consumers, and fostering partnerships that make meaningful change possible.
Thank you to everyone who came to our event, and has contributed to this journey — past, present, and future. Here’s to the next chapter of innovation, collaboration, and leadership in allergen management.
Left to right: Fiona Fleming, Kirsten Grinter, Rob Sherlock all receiving their Allergen Bureau Life Membership from Allergen Bureau President, Jasmine Lacis-Lee
