Latest Allergen Bureau News
VITAL 2.0 (May 2012)
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
The Allergen Bureau is pleased to release VITAL 2.0.
VITAL 2.0 includes a new VITAL Guide and new VITAL calculator, as well as other support information to help you understand, implement and manage VITAL in your business.
VITAL 2.0 has been developed through broad industry engagement and industry support. The Allergen Bureau encourage you to continue to provide feedback and discussion points so that VITAL continues to deliver industry benefits.
To enhance the release of VITAL 2.0 we recently completed a project focused on alignment of training material to support an increase in Allergen Bureau endorsed VITAL training providers and an increase in the availability of VITAL training workshops. The alignment of VITAL training material ensures consistency of message about VITAL which will help to drive consistent training delivery as well as consistent application across the industry.
PIF 5.0 and VITAL 2.0 Industry Workshops This April
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
The Allergen Bureau and the Australian Food and Grocery Council are running industry workshops for the latest PIF 5.0 and VITAL 2.0 in Brisbane and Newcastle in April 2012.
Read more: PIF 5.0 and VITAL 2.0 Industry Workshops This April
Transition from VITAL (Version 1) to VITAL 2.0 – timeline and information
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Review of VITAL (Version 1)
January – December 2011
The Allergen Bureau’s Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labeling (VITAL) system was launched in June 2007 and includes a Procedure document and VITAL Calculator. A scientific review was initiated and the recommendations from the VITAL Scientific Expert Panel (VSEP) were released in November 2011. The Allergen Bureau has begun the process to incorporate the recommendations from the VSEP and suggestions from the food industry into a new version of VITAL which will be known as VITAL 2.0.
During this period, VITAL (Version 1) is still current and available from the Allergen Bureau website.
VITAL 2.0 – Pilot Phase
December 2011 – 16 March 2012
The Pilot Phase of VITAL 2.0 will be conducted with the Businesses who attended the November 2011 Allergen Bureau Information Sessions and Allergen Bureau Member Companies.
The Pilot Phase will include the:
- New VITAL Guidance document including the Procedure, ‘The Food Industry Guide to the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL) Program’, and
- Revised VITAL Calculator
During this period, VITAL (Version 1) is still current and available from the Allergen Bureau website. The VITAL 2.0 draft resources will be available only to the Pilot group.
Read more: Transition from VITAL (Version 1) to VITAL 2.0 – timeline and information
A VITAL boost for world-leading allergen labelling
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Australian consumers will be better protected and informed about the risk of allergens in foods following an international endorsement of the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL) risk assessment tool, the Australian Food and Grocery Council and Allergen Bureau said in a media release on 26 October 2011.
First developed by the food manufacturing industry in 2007, the world-leading VITAL system allows food producers to assess the impact of allergen cross contact and provides appropriate precautionary labelling on products.
The innovative, risk-based methodology was designed to make a single, standardised precautionary statement available to assist food manufacturers in consistently presenting allergen advice for consumers with allergies.
Read more: A VITAL boost for world-leading allergen labelling
GS1 Recallnet Webinars
Monday, 24 October 2011
‘GS1 Recallnet’ is a standardised, industry-driven communication tool enabling organisations of any size to share real-time product recall and withdrawal notifications with their trading partners and regulators. GS1 Australia is hosting a series of webinars until the beginning of December to train the Australian food industry in the new food recall system.
