Allergens

Allergenicity is one of the key areas where the oils and fats industry has put a lot of efforts and research over the years to guarantee the safety in the production of refined oils and fats.
Peanut-, nut- and soybean- oils have been put under scrutiny in 2003 due to the known allergenicity of its raw materials. While the non-allergenicity of refined peanut oil has not be accepted by the European Food Safety Authority in 2004, the non allergenicity of refined soybean oil was scientifically established by clinical trials both in Europe and the US and acknowledged by EFSA in 2007.
In order to assist in the risk management of allergens in the oils and fats sector, FEDIOL developed a code of good practice laying down provisions for the production and labelling of all the above mentioned oils (unrefined and fully refined).

• CoP on the production and labelling of certain oils in connection with allergy
• Labelling Legislation
  • Directive 2000/13/EC general labelling
  • Directive 2003/89/EC imposes that ingredients known to trigger allergies or intolerances are labelled
  • Directive 2005/26/EC sets mandatory labelling for peanut/sesame/nut oils (unrefined and fully refined)
  • Directive 2007/68/EC sets permanent labelling exemption for fully refined soybean oil and its derivatives
• EFSA Opinions
  • Refined peanut oil
  • Refined soybean oil