About the VITAL Program
The objective of the VITAL® program is to ensure manufactured food is safe to consume for the vast majority of individuals with food allergy. The VITAL program achieves this by providing consistent food labels that declare the presence of allergens, due to documented, unavoidable and sporadic cross contact, thus enabling consumers with food allergy and their carers to avoid purchasing foods that may present a personal risk. Put simply, the VITAL program enables food providers to use a risk-based methodology to avoid the indiscriminate use of Precautionary Allergen Labels (PAL).
Why is the VITAL Program needed?
The VITAL program enables food providers to use a risk-based methodology to avoid the indiscriminate use of Precautionary Allergen Labels.
Due to the nature of our agricultural and food supply chains, zero risk for allergens does not and cannot exist.
The VITAL program is designed to assist businesses in understanding where the risks may be and work towards eliminating, reducing, or controlling them.
How does the VITAL Program work?
The VITAL program is based on reference doses (thresholds) recommended by a global team of experts. If an assessment has determined allergens may be present at or above the reference dose, then a PAL statement should be applied. Therefore, PAL statements derived under the VITAL Program are meaningful, and consumers with food allergy can have confidence in VITAL allergen labelling outcomes and take notice of such statements.
Where do I go for more information?
For more information on the VITAL program, and the science that underpins the VITAL program please visit our VITAL 4.0 Guide.
Consumers who are concerned or require more information to help them make an informed decision are encouraged to consult with their clinicians on strategies to approach their purchasing and consumption decisions.
For more information on the responsibilities of all stakeholders in relation to PAL please visit the Allergen Management Consensus Statement developed jointly with ASCIA, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, Allergy New Zealand, National Allergy Council and the Centre for Food and Allergy Resource.
For the view of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia on the VITAL program please click here.
