Plain English Allergen Labelling — known as PEAL — is one of the most significant changes to Australian food labelling law in the past decade. Introduced under amendments to the Food Standards Code (Standard 1.2.3), PEAL requires all packaged food products sold in Australia to declare allergens using clear, plain English terms that everyday consumers can understand.
Before PEAL, allergen declarations could rely on scientific or technical names — terms like 'casein' instead of 'milk', or 'prunus dulcis' instead of 'almond'. While accurate, these terms created a real safety risk for consumers with food allergies, particularly parents of allergic children, people with limited English, or anyone unfamiliar with food science terminology.
The purpose of PEAL is simple: make allergen information unmistakably clear. When someone picks up a product and reads the label, they should be able to identify every allergen present without needing a science degree.
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Our PEAL Compliance Kit gives you everything you need to update your labels — step by step.
View Compliance KitsPEAL applies to all packaged food products manufactured, imported, or sold in Australia. This includes products from bakeries, cafes, food manufacturers, importers, and anyone selling pre-packaged food — whether online or in-store. The requirements cover all 11 mandatory allergens recognised under the Food Standards Code.
For food businesses, PEAL compliance is not optional. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action from state and territory food authorities, including product recalls, fines, and in serious cases, prosecution. More importantly, non-compliant labels put consumers at risk of severe allergic reactions.
The good news is that getting compliant doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and guidance, most food businesses can update their labels within a matter of days. The key is understanding exactly what's required and having a systematic approach to reviewing every product in your range.
If you're unsure where your labels stand, our Quick Label Check service can give you a clear answer within 24 hours. Or if you're ready to tackle compliance across your entire range, explore our tiered compliance kits designed for businesses of every size.