On Monday, 20 july 2026, several updates were released to VITAL® Online. These updates may require you to review your products, as in rare cases they could impact the outcome of your cross contact allergen assessments (for example, where a precautionary statement may no longer be required).
Key Areas Affected
- Outcomes for grouped cross contact allergens
- Other technical amendments recently implemented, including:
Action level threshold labelling
Search box improvements showing dropdown listings
Improved Comparison Views
Improved PDF report downloads
Minor report text amendments
Change of label from “Reference Amount Assumptions” to “Assumptions”r technical amendments, including:- Search box improvements showing dropdown listings
- Minor report text amendments
- Change of label from “Reference Amount Assumptions” to “Assumptions”
- Food Composition Database Links added to FAQ- for use in VITAL® Online
Update on Tree Nut Grouping – All jurisdictions
Following a review by the VSEP, the VITAL Program (including VITAL Online) has updated its approach to tree nut grouping.
VITAL 4.1 – Approach
- Each tree nut is now considered individually, against its respective RfD and cross contact concentrations are no longer summed.
- There are no changes to the actual Reference doses. (View the FAQ).
- Tree nuts remain grouped for reporting purposes only.
Why This Change?
- The previous approach was conservative, recognising that not all tree nuts in previous VITAL Versions (2 and 3) had data to support RfDs. There are now recommended RfDs for all individual nuts and therefore grouping is no longer required.
- This change:
- Continues the link between the VITAL Program and best in class evidence-based science.
- Prevents unnecessary over-declaration of tree nuts in cross contact labellingPrevents unnecessary over-declaration of tree nuts in cross contact labelling
- Simplify the application of RfDs
Update on Gluten containing cereals
Across all jurisdictions, the labelling outcome will now display both the cereal source and gluten, in this way:
- barley, gluten
- oats, gluten
- rye, gluten
- wheat, gluten
Why This Change?
This update supports global alignment in how cereals containing gluten are displayed within VITAL Online, while allowing for differences in allergen declaration requirements between jurisdictions.
Displaying both the cereal source and gluten (e.g. “barley, gluten”) provides consistent identification of the allergen(s) requiring a labelling decision. The appropriate declaration terminology and format must then be determined according to the local regulatory requirements where the food is sold.
A further update to VITAL Online will come in the following months, to reflect the change to the 4mg Gluten Reference Dose.
Update Gluten containing cereals (South Africa Only)
We will be removing the category “crossbred hybrids of wheat, rye, or barley” from VITAL Online for South Africa.
Why This Change?
We are updating the allergen classification categories for South Africa to streamline global alignment.
If you currently manage ingredients or processing profiles assigned to this removed category, you must update them manually, e.g. for Triticale, you will now need to select both Wheat and Rye allergens.
Update on Action Level Threshold Labelling
Action Level Threshold Labelling has been updated to align with the ED05 definition, shifting the “equal to” rule from Action Level 2 to Action Level 1 to reflect the threshold below which only the most sensitive 5% of allergic individuals are likely to react. This minor change impacts products precisely at the threshold, with definitions for Action Level 1 and 2 remaining unchanged regarding cross-contact allergens and precautionary statements.
Action Level 1: Protein from the cross contact allergen in the final product is not present at amounts equal to or greater than the Reference Dose. This cross contact allergen is not present at significant amounts and a precautionary cross contact statement for this allergen is not required.
Action Level 2: Protein from the cross contact allergen in the final product is present at amount greater than the Reference Dose. This cross contact allergen is present at significant amounts and a precautionary cross contact statement for this allergen is required.
Update: Better PDF Report Downloads & Clearer Comparison Views
We listened to your feedback! We’ve made several improvements to help you work more efficiently and keep your reporting organised.
Improved Comparison Views
You’ll now see clearer, more streamlined comparison visuals — both within recipe comparisons and in generated reports — making it easier to spot differences and understand changes at a glance.
Better PDF Report Downloads
You told us that managing multiple downloaded reports could get confusing. To help you better organise, track, and find your files instantly, we have upgraded our PDF file-naming system.
Every report you download now features a clear descriptor indicating the report type, along with the exact date it was generated. When you save any report, it will now appear in your downloads folder with a clear, easy-to-identify format, for example:
What Your New Downloads Look Like
When you save any report, it will now appear in your downloads folder with a clear, easy-to-identify format. For example:
Summary Report:
/Downloads/VITAL_Summary_Recipe_Name_Recipe_Code_YYYY-MM-DD.pdf
Thank you for your valuable feedback as we continue to improve your experience!
Reminder on VITAL Labelling Outcomes and Labelling
The VITAL Program and VITAL Online identify allergens that require labelling consideration, whether due to intentional inclusion or cross contact. However, they do not prescribe the specific wording, format, or placement of allergen declarations on labels.
Users must apply the relevant regulatory requirements in the country of sale to determine how allergens are declared, including the correct terminology and whether this appears in the ingredient list, summary statement, precautionary allergen label (PAL), or another format.
It is important to note that terminology may differ between intentionally added allergens and precautionary labelling. For example, a specific grain may need to be declared when intentionally added, while precautionary statements may refer more broadly to gluten, depending on the jurisdiction.
Ultimately, while VITAL identifies allergens requiring a labelling decision, it remains the responsibility of the risk assessor to ensure the final label wording and format comply with local legislation.
Next Steps for Users
- Account Owners must use the “Update All” function to refresh recipes. Update All functionality
- This functionality is only accessible to Account Owners.
For further information, please use the Allergen Bureau Enquiry Form
