We have a range of resource guides to support industry to use and apply the VITAL® Program including VITAL Online. These are periodically reviewed, so we always suggest accessing via our website.
VITAL Online is supported by VITAL Standard, a supplementary certification program for food manufacturers that are already certified to GFSI recognised food safety management standards that include allergen management. Visit the VITAL Standard page to find out more about being certified.
Industry Guides
VITAL 4.0 Summary and FAQs
This document provides an overview of the updates to the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL) program regarding the adoption of ED05-based Reference Doses (RfDs) for determining precautionary allergen labelling (PAL). This change reflects the recommendations of the FAO/WHO Expert Committee to Codex and ensures the VITAL Program remains at the forefront of best practice evidence-based science.
The document includes a list of global priority and non-global priority allergens with their updated RfDs, and answers frequently asked questions aiming to provide clear guidance for food businesses, to increase consumer understanding of why risk assessments derived under the VITAL Program are meaningful.
The Food Industry Guide to the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL) Program
This guide is an essential resource for all VITAL users. The resource covers the science behind VITAL, the use of the program and the procedures, as well as a Decision Tree. The guide refers to other key supporting information resources as noted on this page and in the Allergen Bureau Resources section.
VITAL Best Practice Labelling Guide for Australia and New Zealand – Updated 2024
UPDATED VERSION BEING RELEASED SOON
This document focuses on precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) statements. PAL statements are voluntary and not included in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).
This document is designed as a companion to the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL Program) and FIGAML, it should be referenced alongside these guides. The examples in this guide are set out in the same format as the outcomes from VITAL Online.
Food Industry Guide to Allergen Management and Labelling for Australia and New Zealand (FIGAML)
This guide is a partnership document of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and the Allergen Bureau. The Guide describes industry best practice for the management of allergens, allergen labelling, and allergen communication. In this Guide, ‘allergens’ are the foods or substances that are listed in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) table to section S9-3 in Schedule 9. The Guide was updated in 2023 with additional information about the declaration of cereals.
