,Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued Import Food Notice IFN 10-25, mandating strict compliance with new allergen labelling requirements under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Food Standards Code. Effective from 25 February 2024, with full enforcement after 25 February 2026, all imported foods must clearly declare allergens such as wheat, gluten, milk, egg, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, sesame, lupin, and sulphites (≥10 mg/kg) in plain English, bold font, and within a defined label format that includes both an ingredient list declaration and a separate “Contains” summary statement in the same field of view. The regulation aims to enhance clarity and consumer safety by ensuring uniform allergen disclosure across all food products entering Australia. Non-compliant imports may be detained, relabelled, re-exported, or destroyed under supervision, placing responsibility on importers to verify compliance at source. This move aligns with international efforts to strengthen allergen communication and reflects Australia’s push toward transparent, consumer-friendly labelling. While the rule imposes added operational and packaging costs on exporters and importers, it also promotes greater consumer trust, label consistency, and accountability across the food supply chain, ultimately reinforcing Australia’s position as a leader in food safety regulation.
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