Precautionary labeling: challenges and possibilities for international standards on allergen labeling
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2025.83622Keywords:
Food Allergy. Precautionary principle. International commerce. Human rights.Abstract
Introduction: The treatment of food allergies, which affect 10% of the world's population, is the exclusion diet. The way information on the intentional presence of allergens in labeling is provided is more consensual, but the strategy to warn about the risk of unintended presence (precautionary labeling) is very variable among countries, resulting in a challenge to people living with food allergies. Objective: To present the solutions that countries have adopted for precautionary labeling and to highlight the ongoing debate in the Codex Alimentarius, proposing an approach that recognizes the duty to comply with human rights protection standards in the context of discussions on guidelines for international trade. Methods: A propositional legal method, including comparison of laws, evaluation of Codex Alimentarius documentation, as well as international references on the protection and promotion of human rights. Results: There are different regulatory strategies, each based on the experience and information available at the time of their approval. The solution under discussion at Codex results in a risk of reactions in a number of allergy sufferers without labeling information regarding the potential unintended presence of allergens, which violates the precautionary principle and human rights regulations. Conclusions: Consumer health should be the lens for the design of regulations and guidelines. In case of uncertainties, the policy that provides the highest level of protection must be adopted.
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