From 15 to 19 May 2023, the Codex Alimentarius Food Labelling Committee (CCFL) met in Ottawa, Canada. Codex Alimentarius is a global body that develops food safety and labelling standards on behalf of the WHO and the UN. These standards are the basis for laws in many countries, and inform EU food labelling regulations, including allergen labelling. Currently, the CCFL is - after more than 20 years - dealing with food allergen labelling again. The first results of the electronic working groups on both mandatory food ingredient labelling as well as precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) were on the agenda. More than 200 delegates were present in Ottawa to discuss the allergen list, how allergen labelling should be applied and the initial steps for a framework for PAL, which is critical for the safety and choice of food and nutrition for people with food allergy. EFA was represented by our Codex observers Marcia Podestà, EFA President (Food Allergy Italia) and Sabine Schnadt (German Allergy and Asthma Association/ DAAB) who gave allergic consumers a strong voice to advocate for improved food labelling. EFA has been a Codex Observer since 2019, allowing active participation in the Codex Alimentarius working groups and meetings.
EFA calls for improved allergen labelling at the Codex Alimentarius Food Labelling Committee
