Food Allergens: 9th International Akademie Fresenius

The 9th International Conference builds directly on the work of the FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Risk Assessment of Allergens. Based on the Reference Doses developed for priority allergens, the conference now focuses on how these values can be put into practice – in particular, how Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) can be refined and harmonised.

A key topic of the conference is the role of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS), currently working to identify, validate and standardise suitable analytical methods.

At the same time, experts are looking ahead: New protein sources are increasingly coming into focus – such as existing proteins modified through innovative processing, or novel protein carriers used as substitutes or additives in food production. The conference addresses this trend and explores the challenge of emerging allergens.

In parallel, the Australia and New Zealand Consensus Statement on Best Practice Food Allergen Management 2025 is a pioneering regional standard. This joint statement sets out practical measures for all actors in the supply chain to minimise risks along the entire value chain.

The conference brings together representatives from regulatory and industry backgrounds, as well as political decision-makers. It keeps track of clinical aspects, advances in food analysis and their suitability as well as on recent developments in risk assessment, risk management and communication.

Highlights of the last edition

Food allergy – clinical aspects

• Update on immunotherapy in food allergy

Food industry allergen risk assessment approaches

• Practical application of allergen quantitative risk assessment (QRA)
• Improving information for allergen risk management, including decisions on precautionary labelling

Competent authority perspective on risk assessment

• Outcome and lessons learnt from the ALLERGEN-PRO project

FAO/WHO initiative on food allergen risk assessment

• An overview of the FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Risk Assessment of Food Allergens and key outcomes
• Too high, too low? Setting a reference dose that works.

Risk management and communication

• Risk management and communication of food allergens – the perspective of a governmental agency
• Risk communication with consumers in Ireland
• VITAL® 3.x in relation to the FAO/WHO recommendations
• Guidance on allergen cross-contact for food manufacturers

Monitoring, analytical methods and their suitability

• Standardisation of a reference prototype-MS based method for multi allergen quantification in foods as a result of the ThRAll project
• Allergen detection possibilities for the official food control laboratories
• Monitoring the Safe Introduction of Novel Foods (MoSIN) – how food allergy develops in a changing food environment

Who should attend this conference?

Professionals working in the fields of:

• Quality assurance & control
• Analysis
• Legal & regulatory affairs
• Research & development
• Diagnosis & therapy

Sectors taking part:

• Food industry
• Food retailers
• Food inspection offices
• Laboratories
• Research institutes
• Authorities
• Professional associations
• Medical institutes