Improving the global problem of regulating food allergen labelling

Precautionary Allergen Labeling (PAL) is one of the issues highlighted in a recent World Allergy Organization Journal publication regarding the worldwide challenge of regulating food allergen labeling.    

According to the article, PAL should only be used in conjunction with a good evidence-based risk management approach. A quantitative PAL approach, such as the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labeling (VITAL), is recommended by the authors as a risk communication technique that may help consumers make more informed decisions about their food choices while also increasing their trust in food labeling. Through proteomics, the VITAL system combines reference dosages, labeling choices, and direct measurement of trace concentrations of allergens at lower limit of detection (LOD) levels in the food itself. According to the authors' ideas, a globally recognized body might drive the implementation of the VITAL system over the world, rather than regional regulators and governments.    

The development and validation of very sensitive analytical detection techniques, as an alternative to PAL, is offered as a way to eliminate the requirement for risk categorization. Due to their excellent accuracy and dependability, targeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approaches have been suggested as replacements to ELISA and DNA-based methods. Unfortunately, there are certain drawbacks to the LC-MS/MS methods. These approaches are presently vulnerable to matrix difficulties and are not fast enough to be employed throughout food manufacturing lines for cleanliness verification, confirmation of minimized cross-contact, and hence to reduce the use of PAL costly devices. Furthermore, pricey equipment requires highly trained operators and present techniques have shown matrix problems.    

When it comes to implementing harmonized obligatory allergy labeling standards across all nations, the authors encourage international organizations, regulators, and the food industry to work together. The development of sensitive detection technologies should also be given top priority in order to diminish the amount of ambiguity that now underpins the widespread and ineffective application of PAL.    

 

Source:  

https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/world-allergy-organization-journal