New Zealand Recall Coconut Milk Products without Allergen Labeling

New Zealand MPI recently announced that the following two types of imported coconut milk products have been recalled due to lack of milk allergen labeling:

• Wahaha brand Coconut Juice, 245g can, manufactured in China

• Sasaya brand Coconut Drink, 335ml can, manufactured in Taiwan

In China, labelling allergic substances is not a mandatory requirement according to GB 7718-2011 National Food Safety Standard General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods.

Allergen Labeling in China according to GB 7718

Allergens are considered non-mandatory or recommended labeling information. The following foods and their products are considered allergens under China’s food standards. If they are added as ingredients, readily legible names should be declared in the ingredient list or indicated adjacent to the ingredient list.

• Grain and its product containing gluten protein

• Fish and its products;

• Egg and its products;

• Peanut and its products

• Soybean and its products;

• Milk and milk products (including lactose);

• Nut and its products

If any of the foods listed above or any of its product are used during food processing, it is recommended to indicate allergen presence on ingredients list.