Starting today (Sunday), new constitutional regulations will come into effect that require a significant change in the way allergens are labeled on food products.
According to the updated guidelines, manufacturers and marketers are required to highlight the list of allergenic ingredients in a clearer and more legible way on the front of the package, using a uniform format that allows consumers to identify potential hazards at a glance.
The regulations state that it is mandatory to indicate the presence of common allergens, including gluten, peanuts, nuts, milk, eggs and soy, even if they appear in trace amounts or as part of the manufacturing process ("may contain").
Violation of the regulations will result in significant financial sanctions and the possibility of stopping the marketing of the products.
The move is intended to increase transparency for the public with food sensitivities and prevent cases of anaphylactic reactions resulting from poor or missing labeling. Food manufacturers were given a short evaluation period to replace existing packaging in stock to meet the requirements of the new law.
The Ministry of Health is leading a significant move to increase food safety in Israel with the adoption of new European regulations for allergen labeling. According to the regulations that are coming into effect, food manufacturers are obligated to change the way information is presented on packaging so that it is clearer and more accessible for consumers who suffer from sensitivities.
The main change includes eliminating the separate 'allergen box' that was used until now, and moving all relevant information directly into the ingredients list.
Any allergenic ingredient, such as milk, soy, peanuts or gluten, must be highlighted using bold font, underline or a different background color. Additionally, in cases where the ingredient name does not explicitly indicate the allergen source (for example, "casein"), the name of the known allergen must be added in parentheses immediately after.
The new regulations also address the population suffering from G6PD enzyme deficiency. Due to the high prevalence of this deficiency in Israel, it was determined that any product containing pea will have a prominent warning immediately after the list of ingredients, stating: "Contains pea - not intended for those suffering from G6PD enzyme deficiency.".
The regulation also fully applies to innovative food products, including milk proteins produced using non-animal fermentation technologies.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that labels such as "vegan," "fur," or "lactose-free" are not a guarantee of the absence of allergens, and urges the public to rely from now on only on the highlighted list of ingredients in order to make an informed and safe decision.
