What Changed With Allergen Labelling in New Zealand?
New allergen labelling rules came into force in New Zealand on 25 February 2024 under the Australia-New Zealand Food Standards Code. These changes are known as Plain English Allergen Labelling, or PEAL.
The rules were designed to make allergen information clearer, more consistent and easier for consumers to find quickly on food labels.
If your food business makes, sells, imports or packages food in New Zealand, these rules apply to you.
Why This Matters — Allergens Are the Leading Cause of Food Recalls
Allergens in food were the leading cause for recalls in 2024, accounting for 46% of all recalls in New Zealand. Getting allergen labelling wrong is not just a compliance issue — it can lead to product recalls, serious harm to consumers and significant damage to your business reputation. QasLtd
What the New Rules Require
1. Allergens Must Be Listed in Bold in the Ingredients List
Under the new rules, if your food or drink contains a common allergen, you must state this clearly on your label. The allergens that must be declared include gluten found in wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt and triticale, which must also be listed on labels. Ministry for Primary Industries
Each allergen must appear in bold within the ingredients list using the required allergen name — not a trade name, abbreviation or alternative wording.
2. A "Contains" Statement Is Now Mandatory
As well as bold text in the ingredients list, food labels must include a separate allergen summary statement in bold font beginning with the word "Contains" located in the same field of view and directly next to the statement of ingredients. Auckland Council
For example: Contains: Milk, Gluten (Wheat), Soy
3. Individual Nuts, Molluscs and Cereals Must Be Listed Separately
Previously, a general term like "tree nuts" was acceptable. Under the new rules, individual tree nuts, molluscs and individual cereals must all be declared separately. Auckland Council
For example, instead of "tree nuts" you must now list: Contains: Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts
4. Wheat and Gluten Are Now Separate Allergens
Under the old rules, wheat and gluten were often treated as one. Now they must be declared as separate allergens where both are present.
5. Required Allergen Names Must Be Used
The regulations now mandate all related food firms to declare any potential allergen information in a specific format and location on food labels, and using simple plain English terms in bold font. You cannot use alternative names or abbreviations. Auckland Council
Which Allergens Must Be Declared?
The following allergens must be declared on all applicable New Zealand food labels:
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Wheat (gluten)
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Gluten (from rye, barley, oats, spelt, triticale)
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Milk
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Eggs
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Fish
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Crustacea (listed individually — e.g. prawns, crab, lobster)
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Molluscs (listed individually — e.g. oysters, mussels, squid)
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Peanuts
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Tree nuts (listed individually — e.g. almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, brazil nuts, macadamia, pine nuts)
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Sesame seeds
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Soy
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Lupin
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Sulphites (when present at 10mg/kg or more)
What About Cafés, Restaurants and Takeaways?
Foods at cafés or restaurants, including takeaways, are not required to be labelled but must be displayed with the food such as listed on the menu, or provided to the customer on request. AsureQuality
If a customer with an allergy asks about ingredients, your staff must be able to provide accurate allergen information. This makes staff training on allergens essential for food service businesses.
The Transition Period — What You Need to Know Now
Food packaged and labelled before February 25, 2024, under the previous rules, may be sold for an additional 2 years. This means the final sell-by date for old-format labels is 25 February 2026. Foodcontrolplans
After that date, all food on sale in New Zealand must carry the new PEAL-format allergen declarations.
If your labels still use the old format, you need to update them now.
A Practical Checklist — Is Your Label Compliant?
Work through this checklist for every packaged product you make, import or sell:
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✅ Are all allergens listed in bold within the ingredients list?
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✅ Are you using the required allergen name (e.g. "wheat" not "flour")?
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✅ Is there a "Contains:" summary statement next to the ingredients list?
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✅ Are individual tree nuts listed separately by variety?
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✅ Are individual cereals listed separately?
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✅ Are molluscs listed individually?
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✅ Are wheat and gluten declared as separate allergens where both are present?
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✅ Are sulphites declared where present at 10mg/kg or more?
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✅ Do your staff know how to respond to allergen questions from customers?
Common Allergen Labelling Mistakes to Avoid
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Using "tree nuts" instead of listing each nut individually
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Not including a "Contains" summary statement
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Listing allergens in normal text instead of bold
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Using old allergen names that are no longer accepted
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Forgetting allergens present in compound ingredients (e.g. milk in a marinade ingredient)
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Not checking imported products that may use Australian-format labels with different requirements
How Access Food Verification & Auditing Limited Can Help
Our food labelling review service can check your product labels against the current New Zealand allergen labelling requirements and identify any gaps before your labels go to print.
We can review your ingredient list, allergen declarations, "Contains" statement, formatting, label wording and compliance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Contact us today for free initial guidance. We can help you understand what your label may need, and the next step before your labels are printed or your transition deadline passes.
RELATED SERVICES LINKS
This article provides general information only. The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code sets Allergen labelling requirements. Always verify your label against the current Food Standards Code requirements. Contact us for guidance specific to your products and situation.