Latest news on the AFGC Product Information Form (PIF)

Since its launch in February 2008, the AFGC Product Information Form (PIF) has been widely adopted and utilised by food industry manufacturers and suppliers, originally in Microsoft Word format, and now as an Excel Form. At the Allergen Bureau breakfast seminar in Melbourne, Victoria on 14 May 2010, Kim Leighton from the AFGC described the latest developments regarding the PIF.

An industry-derived 18-person team recently conducted a review of the PIF, with the results being used to support many significant changes to the form. The latest version, which is still in draft, features several formatting improvements such as automated activation or deactivation of sections depending on the answers to preceding questions, automated calculation of information such as serving size and %DI, increased number of rows for listing ingredients and processing aids, and more efficient use of space and layout.

Many of the latest changes have been included to 'future-proof' the form, with lupin being added to the list of allergens in recognition of the fact that FSANZ are currently reviewing evidence around allergic reactions to this food. Sections have also been expanded to capture greater information about country of origin, substantiation of consumer information, pre-market clearance requirements, packaging information and trade measurements.

The team are currently also working with GS1 net to improve compatibility of the PIF into the GS1 system. It is believed this will further improve uptake of PIF by industry and specifically the major retailers.

The latest version of the PIF is still in draft, with the release date set for the end of this year.

Kim's presentation provides a comprehensive description and examples of the recent improvements to the PIF, and can be downloaded here from the Allergen Bureau website.