Managing Allergen Risks in a Changing Global Food System

Allergens continue to pose one of the most persistent and costly risks in the global food industry. In the first episode of our new podcast series "Managing Allergen Risks: Innovation and Regulation in a Global Food System," we lay the foundation for understanding allergen management and explore why this issue remains so critical. The episode recalls a real-life case where peanut contamination in a mustard ingredient had serious consequences, highlighting how just one unplanned event can severely impact a business. With allergens issues responsible for around 40% of global food product recalls, the importance of robust risk management systems has never been greater. 

The complexity of allergen management is increasing as the industry faces mounting pressures — from climate change and crop shortages to shifting consumer demands and global regulatory changes. Companies are reformulating for health, sourcing from new suppliers, and entering unfamiliar markets, all of which introduce new risks. Every change in ingredient or supply chain can affect allergen exposure, and food fraud remains a constant and continuously evolving threat. That’s why we urge industry professionals to download our updated Allergens e-book and complete our global survey. Your input helps shape the conversations and expert insights we deliver throughout the podcast series. 

Listen to the episode and stay tuned for upcoming episodes, where we’ll dive deeper into key topics.