Transition from VITAL (Version 1) to VITAL 2.0 – timeline and information

Thursday, 22 December 2011 10:15

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.

VITAL 2.0 – Launch and Transition

The Allergen Bureau is anticipate launching VITAL 2.0 – in its final form – in April 2012

The Allergen Bureau will incorporate feedback received during the Pilot Phase of VITAL 2.0 into the final version.

VITAL users should consider the transition to VITAL 2.0. VITAL (Version 1) will continue to be available on the Allergen Bureau website for 12 months post the launch date. However, we encouraged VITAL-users to move to VITAL 2.0.

VITAL 2.0

Anticipated to be April 2013

VITAL 2.0 and its resources will be the only version of VITAL on the Allergen Bureau website. VITAL (Version 1) will be no longer be maintained. The previous procedure and calculator will be removed from the website approximately 12 months after the release of VITAL 2.0.