PEAL is Here

Managing food allergies is tough. One small mistake can have serious consequences, and reading labels can feel like decoding a secret language. PEAL is here to change that.

From 26 February 2026, all food sold in Australia and New Zealand will feature clearer, simpler allergen labels. That means spotting allergens will be quicker, reading labels will be easier, and making safe food choices will be far less stressful.

This isn’t just a change to labels. It’s a big win for everyone living with allergies, their families, and carers. With PEAL, allergen information is consistent, easy to understand, and right where you need it, giving everyone more confidence in what they eat.

Read on to find out exactly what’s changing, how it affects the food you buy, and why PEAL makes life safer for everyone.

What PEAL Means

Under PEAL (Plain English Allergen Labelling), allergen information must be written in plain, commonly understood English. Instead of technical ingredient names or broad group terms, allergens must be clearly named, easy to spot in the ingredient list, and supported by a clear allergen summary statement starting with the word “Contains”.

This change removes much of the confusion that existed in the past. Previously, allergens could be hidden behind unfamiliar ingredient names or grouped in ways that forced people to guess what was really in the food. PEAL removes that guesswork by setting a clear and consistent approach to how allergens are listed, making labels quicker and safer to read for both consumers and staff handling food.

A Quick Recap: What’s Changed Under PEAL

If you need a refresher, here’s a quick look at the main changes PEAL brings to allergen labelling:

• Allergens are named clearly: No more broad terms like “tree nuts” or “seafood.” Labels now specify exactly what’s in the food — for example, almond, walnut, fish, or crustacea.

• Consistent, easy-to-spot format: Allergens appear in bold in the ingredient list and are included in a clear “Contains…” statement.

• No more guesswork: Generic words like “dairy” or “nuts” aren’t enough anymore. PEAL ensures everyone can see exactly what allergens are present.

In short, PEAL makes labels simpler, clearer, and safer. To help childcare staff, aged care staff and families make confident decisions every time.

For more details, check out our full PEAL guide.

Why Reading Food Labels Still Matters – a lot!

Even with clearer labelling, reading food labels carefully remains essential. Ingredients, recipes, and suppliers can change at any time, which means allergen content can change without warning. During the early period of full PEAL enforcement, some older labels may also still be seen in circulation.

For people with food allergies, assumptions can be dangerous. A product that was safe last month may not be safe today. The only reliable way to check is to read the label every time food is purchased, prepared, or served. PEAL makes this task easier, but it does not remove the need for care and attention.

Everyone who touches food is a food handler.

PEAL reminds us that keeping food safe isn’t just the job of the cook or kitchen staff. Anyone who prepares, serves, or even comes into contact with food. This includes carers, educators, support workers, managers, volunteers, and centre staff. Everyone contributes in keeping children and residents safe.

Even if you don’t cook, allergens can still travel through benches, utensils, tables, or hands. That’s why every service that provides food needs to spot allergens and share that information clearly.

PEAL Can Mean More Choices

One of the best things about PEAL is that it gives people with allergies more freedom and confidence when choosing food.

Clear, specific allergen labels mean you don’t have to avoid whole food groups just because you’re allergic to one ingredient. For example, someone allergic to cashews but not almonds can now make safer choices because each tree nut is listed individually. The same goes for seafood — labels now clearly show whether it’s fish, crustacea, or molluscs, so people don’t have to avoid all seafood as a precaution.

This clarity makes mealtimes less stressful, reduces unnecessary restriction, and lets people with allergies enjoy a wider range of foods safely.

PEAL is Here, Now What?

For childcare services, and aged care providers ongoing training is key. All staff, including cooks, chefs, educators, carers, kitchen staff, and support workers, need to understand how to read and interpret allergen statements. Clear labels only improve safety when staff know what to look for.

Food safety programs, menus, and allergen registers should also be updated to reflect precise allergen information, supporting consistency and accuracy when communicating with families, residents, and clients.

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Why PEAL Is So Important in Childcare & OSHC Settings

PEAL is especially critical in childcare, kindergartens, and similar care environments, where the number of children living with food allergies continues to grow. Many of these allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction.

In these settings, the risk goes beyond eating food. Even close contact with allergens, such as traces left on surfaces, shared utensils, or unwashed hands, can cause serious reactions. Anaphylaxis can occur quickly and without warning, making clear allergen identification essential, not optional.

PEAL supports educators, carers, cooks, and kitchen staff by making allergen information easier to recognise and understand. When allergens are clearly named and consistently declared, staff can more confidently identify risks, follow allergy management and exclusion plans, prevent cross-contact, and make safer food choices for those in their care. This clarity strengthens everyday practices and helps create safer environments for children.

Keeping Everyone Safe with PEAL

PEAL is more than just a change to allergen labels. It’s a big step forward in keeping children and residents safe. By making allergen information clear, consistent, and easy to understand, it helps staff make confident decisions and prevents mistakes. For everyone in your care, it means more choice, greater protection, and safer, more inclusive environments.