Comply with Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL)
From 25 February 2026, allergen labelling must use plain English and a standardised format.
Who must comply
Food manufacturers and suppliers of packaged food in Australia.
What triggers it
Manufacturing or supplying packaged food.
When due
From 25 February 2026 — full compliance after 3-year transition.
Evidence required
Updated labels, allergen risk assessments, supplier specifications.
Max penalty
State-based fines + product recall obligations
Effective from
25 February 2026
Who must comply with this? The applicability test by industry, business structure and size.
Summary
Standard 1.2.3 of the Food Standards Code (amended February 2024 with a 3-year transition) requires allergens to be declared on packaged food in a standardised plain-English format including a 'Contains' statement, bolding requirements, and specific terminology. Applies to packaged foods sold in Australia and New Zealand.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Industries
Topics
Related
- CWLTHCountry of Origin Labelling for food (CoOL Information Standard)Food sold in Australia must carry country-of-origin labelling per the 2016 Information Standard.
- CWLTHAppoint a certified Food Safety Supervisor (FSS)Food businesses serving ready-to-eat food must have a trained FSS reasonably available.
- CWLTHImplement Food Safety Management Tool (Standard 3.2.2A)Category 1 food businesses must use a Food Safety Management Tool to verify critical controls.
- CWLTHImplement Food Safety Program where prescribed (Standard 3.2.1)High-risk food businesses must implement a documented Food Safety Program audited by a recognised food safety auditor.
- Cwlth + statesFood Act state licensing + food safety supervisorFood businesses must register + appoint Food Safety Supervisor under state Food Acts.
- CWLTHOrganic claims and organic certification — certification mandatory for export onlyOrganic certification is not legally required to describe a product as organic in Australia, but every organic claim must be provable; exporting organic goods requires certification by an approved certifying body.
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL)?
- Food manufacturers and suppliers of packaged food in Australia.
- What triggers Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL)?
- Manufacturing or supplying packaged food.
- When is Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) due?
- From 25 February 2026 — full compliance after 3-year transition.
- What is the maximum penalty for Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL)?
- State-based fines + product recall obligations
- What evidence is required for Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL)?
- Updated labels, allergen risk assessments, supplier specifications.
Source: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-standards-code. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.