Lists of allergens that require labelling were originally drawn up on the basis of a combination of prevalence and severity information. Since then the number of allergenic foods for which reactions have been well documented has grown considerably. The Food Allergy Task Force of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Europe has recently reviewed the criteria for identifying allergenic foods of public health importance.

FACTA Australia has recently achieved NATA accredited status for gluten testing using the Ridascreen Gliadin test kit, which has Codex approval. This status allows the addition of the NATA symbol to relevant test reports, demonstrating the tests have been conducted in accordance with a prescribed quality management system.

The European Council plans to revise the EU Novel Food Regulation to bring it up to date and clarify the scope. However, the UK’s Food Standards Authority (FSA) has expressed concern that revisions currently being considered fail to take proper account of potential allergic responses to some novel foods.

Researchers at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center are currently conducting a feeding trial on peanut- and egg-allergic people. By increasing doses of protein extract from the foods, they aim to see if they can induce the participants' immune systems to tolerate the food.

Allergen Bureau Member Company, Peanut Company of Australia (PCA) continues to work closely with national and international scientists and food management associations to develop and test methods of lessening and managing allergic reactions to peanuts. As part of their service to the industry and community, they issue a regular fact sheet on recent peanut allergy research.

One of the world's largest food manufacturers, General Mills has recently signalled their intention to join the lucrative ‘gluten free’ food market, by reformulating their Rice Chex cereal in the USA and making it gluten free.