As part of the Ministry of Health’s food reform, starting this morning (Thursday), the labeling of allergens on food packaging will change to resemble the system in Europe.
Before the food import reform took effect, there was no requirement to label allergens on products. However, manufacturers and importers who chose to mark allergens did so within an “information box” that appeared immediately after the ingredient list. From today, allergen labeling will highlight and differentiate allergens from the other ingredients by emphasizing the name of the allergens immediately following the ingredient containing it within the ingredient list itself.
The New Labeling
It is noteworthy, that products labeled in the previous standard before the reform’s implementation may continue to be available in stores until the preparation period ends in three years. Alongside them, products will appear with the new labeling format aligned with European regulation. At the end of the preparation period, mandatory allergen labeling will apply to all food sold in Israel according to European legislation.
May Contain
The “may contain (allergen name)” designation is not explicitly regulated in the European labeling guidelines, so it will remain unchanged. For products containing fava beans, which are not defined as an allergen, the labeling will say: “Contains fava beans – not intended for those with G6PD enzyme deficiency.” This labeling will be added immediately after the ingredient list, or if absent, next to the name of the food.
