EC extends exemption on allergen labeling of wine treatment agents

The European Commission has recently agreed a regulation that will extend these temporary exemptions for 18 months until 30 June 2012.

There are currently temporary exemptions from allergen labeling requirements for both egg albumin and milk (casein) used as fining agents for wine, and lysozyme (produced from egg) used in wine, until 31 December 2010.

This extension will give the wine industry the opportunity to present dossiers to the Commission to support permanent exemptions for these materials.

This regulation has not yet been published in the Official Journal and therefore the UK authorities have not been able to enact the necessary national legislation.

The Food Allergy Branch at the Food Standards Agency however says it would be best practice for enforcement officers and wine inspectors to take this situation into account when considering the accuracy of labeling on wines.