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In late October, Allergen Bureau released an updated version of VITAL: VITAL 3.0. The Allergen Bureau's Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labeling (VITAL) program is a standardized risk assessment for allergens within the food industry. VITAL helps determine whether an allergen cross-contamination statement is necessary on a label.
1. Determination of reference doses: while VITAL 2.0 still used reference doses at which 95% of the allergic population did not have an allergic reaction with objective symptoms, the VITAL Scientific Expert Panel has now chosen to determine reference doses based on 99% of the allergic population. Only one percent of this population will have mild reactions with this new limit. The reason for this is to minimize the percentage of the allergic population at risk of an allergic reaction and increase the likelihood of global acceptance of VITAL.
2. Addition of reference dose celery: no reference dose for celery was included in VITAL 2.0. The VITAL Scientific Expert Panel established a reference dose of 0.05 mg for VITAL 3.
3. Update for nuts: starting point for all nuts within VITAL 2.0 was a reference dose of 0.1 mg allergenic protein based on data known for hazelnut. Now three groups are split up with all a different reference dose: cashews & pistachios, walnuts & pecans and other nuts.
Précon can help you with this with our regulatory affairs team. Please contact us at +31 (0)30 - 65 66 010 or info@precongroup.com.
Source: Allergen Bureau
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