Consumer safety is at the heart of everything we do
As a global authority in food allergen management, the Allergen Bureau brings together science, industry expertise and collaboration to make food safer for people living with food allergy. Everything we do, from developing guidance and resources to sharing research and supporting our global community, is driven by a shared commitment to consumer safety.
Behind every allergen declaration is someone deciding whether a product is safe for their family. That’s why managing allergens and ensuring labels are accurate matter so much. We’re home of the VITAL® Program, a pioneering science-based approach to precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), consistent with the Codex guidelines.
A history built on collaboration
Established in 2005 in Australia and New Zealand, the Allergen Bureau turned a shared industry problem into shared industry action. National and multinational food manufacturers, suppliers, importers, exporters and retailers all sit at the same table, sharing what they know because some problems are bigger than any one company.
Our members span Oceania, Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada and Africa. We work with food businesses, health professionals, consumer representatives and government authorities towards the same goal: a safer food supply for consumers with food allergy.
Our focus reaches beyond industry with every interaction and resource designed to help the food industry assist the millions of consumers with food allergy around the world. We draw on the latest science and regulatory information from across the globe, including emerging allergens, to keep the food industry a step ahead of the people it serves.
We’re proof of what’s possible when competitors put consumer safety ahead of competition
Food allergies are a growing challenge worldwide, and that’s exactly what drives us. Our vision, purpose and mission, set out below, guide everything we do.
Our vision, purpose and mission
Our vision
A world where individuals with food allergies can trust the safety of the food supply chain and the transparency of food labelling.
Our purpose
To empower the food industry to help people living with food allergies make informed food choices.
Our mission
To navigate the complexities of the food supply chain by advocating for best-practice allergen management and labelling.
Our strategic direction
Aligned to our vision, purpose and mission, five strategic pillars guide the Allergen Bureau’s work and shape our direction for the future.
Together, these pillars support one shared goal: a food supply consumers with food allergy can trust, enabling informed consumer choices.
Read the full detail behind each pillar and measures of success in Our Strategy.
Twenty years of impact
20 years strong
In 2025, the Allergen Bureau celebrated its 20th anniversary: two decades spent turning a small industry initiative into a globally recognised authority in allergen risk management, trusted by industry, regulators, health professionals and consumers alike.
Global recognition
The science behind our VITAL® Program was recognised in new Codex guidance on precautionary allergen labelling, the result of decades of collaboration, research and advocacy from our members, volunteers, researchers and experts from our VITAL Scientific Expert Panel (VSEP) and industry leaders.
Looking ahead
We’re focused on delivering more value to members, strengthening education across the food industry, supporting the next generation of food allergen management leaders, and growing understanding of food allergy among consumers and health professionals, all in service of a food supply people with food allergy can trust completely.
What success looks like
Success means a unified community: industry, regulators, health professionals and consumer groups accepting shared responsibility to improve outcomes for people with food allergy.
Examples of our work
- Collaborating with food regulators, including Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), state enforcement agencies and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), to promote consistent, practical approaches that work for both industry and consumers.
- Working closely with the VITAL Scientific Expert Panel (VSEP) to monitor emerging allergen science and inform international discussions.
- Developing or co-developing resources and training materials with the organisations such as the National Allergy Council and other competent authorities.
- Contributing to the Codex Committee on Food Labelling and Food Hygiene.
- Working alongside consumer groups including Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, Allergy New Zealand, Coeliac Australia and Coeliac New Zealand.
- Working with our endorsed training providers to ensure the food industry has access to best practice allergen management and risk assessment training.
- Collaborating internationally with the Food and Drink Federation, FoodDrinkEurope, the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program (FARRP), ILSI Europe and other global stakeholders.
Governance and how we work
Our work is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, supported by working groups and regular member meetings that keep our guidance current and relevant to the challenges industry and consumers face.
Become a Member
Being a member of the Allergen Bureau can save your business time and money in addressing food allergen issues in a professional way, it can also help you demonstrate your commitment and proactive approach to your staff, suppliers, customers and regulatory authorities.