Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released data on Australian food recalls in 2018, including new information on the causes of allergen labelling-related recalls.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said there were 100 recalls in 2018, up from 69 in 2017, with 46 per cent of these due to undeclared allergens, followed by microbial contamination (20 per cent).
"These results demonstrate that food businesses in Australia need to be across the mandatory allergen labelling requirements in the Food Standards Code," Mr Booth said.
"FSANZ has identified four key causes of allergen-related recalls, including lack of skills and knowledge of labelling requirements, supplier verification, packaging errors and accidental cross contamination.
"Correct allergen labelling can mean the difference between life and death for people with food allergies, so it is vital that food businesses meet labelling requirements."
Mr Booth said FSANZ, along with enforcement agencies, continues to communicate with food businesses to ensure they understand labelling requirements and their importance.
