New requirements to make it easier for people to find information about common allergies on food labels come into effect on Sunday, 25 February.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said the changes are good news for people with food allergies.
"For the up to eight percent of New Zealanders who have food allergies, the consequences of eating the wrong food can be serious, from swelling, hives and vomiting to anaphylaxis,” said Arbuckle.
"People lead busy lives, so food labelling needs to be as simple, clear and easy to find as possible to be effective.”
With input from New Zealand Food Safety, Food Standards Australia New Zealand got valuable feedback from people affected by food allergies to help ensure the changes were effective and practical.
All food packaged and labelled after Sunday, 25 February 2024, must declare allergens or provide statements about the contents where appropriate. The requirements will vary depending on how the food is packaged, labelled and sold and the risk that needs to be identified. Under the changes, potentially life-threatening common allergens must be listed in bold in the ingredients list and summarised in a 'contains' statement on the label.
Any food packaged and labelled before 25 February 2024 under the previous allergen labelling rules can continue to be sold until 25 February 2026.
Foods at cafes or restaurants, including takeaways, must not be labelled but displayed with the food, such as listed on the menu or provided to the customer on request.
