본 연구는 2024년 Codex 개정과 FAO/WHO 위해평가 틀을 검토하여 국내 식품 알레르기 표시제도의 개선 방향 을 제시하였다. 현행 22개 알레르기성 식품은 최신 유병 률·유발강도·중증도 근거를 토대로 의무표시 유지의 적정 성과 추가 반영 필요 품목을 주기적으로 재평가할 필요가 있으며, 국제적 추세와 국내 유병률 자료에 근거해 참깨 등 고위험 품목의 의무표시 대상 포함을 검토할 것을 제 안한다. 또한 ‘알레르기 유발식품’으로의 용어 정비와 면 역 매개성 식품알레르기 정의의 명문화, 의무·권장 이원화 체계 도입 등은 국제적 정합성과 소비자 보호, 규제 효율 성을 동시에 강화할 수 있는 정책적 대안이 될 수 있다. 이러한 개선은 과학적 근거에 기반한 제도 운영을 확립함 과 동시에 소비자 안전, 국제 기준과의 조화, 산업계의 규 제 부담 완화를 균형 있게 달성하는 지속가능한 관리체계 의 토대를 마련할 것으로 기대된다.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has recently revised the provisions relevant to allergen labeling in the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Food. The revision was made based on mutual consensus of the Codex Member States reviewing the recent results of the food allergen risk assessment commissioned by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee conducted a scientific risk assessment to determine whether mandatory labeling should be maintained for the “Big 8” major allergenic foods and evaluate the necessity of adding new items. In response, the Committee identified key indicators, including prevalence, eliciting dose, and clinical severity, to establish prioritization criteria for allergen labeling. Each indicator was quantitatively evaluated for evidence strength and data quality, enabling a systematic risk appraisal of established allergenic food groups. This evaluation underscores the need for periodic evidence-based reviews of mandatory labeling lists, considering the evolving prevalence, clinical severity, and emerging allergenic sources. In Korea, allergen labeling is mandatory for 22 foods. However, this list is based on outdated prevalence data and dietary patterns, highlighting the need for reassessment, given the current epidemiological trends. This study examined the risk assessment methodology and decision-making framework of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee and comprehensively analyzed the current status of domestic allergen labeling regulations and recent prevalence data. Based on these findings, we propose several regulatory strategies — including periodic reevaluation of listed allergens, prioritization of high-risk items, and adoption of a dual-tier labeling system — which should reinforce scientific validity, enhance consumer protection, promote international harmonization, and improve the efficiency and sustainability of allergen labeling frameworks.

ABSTRACT
FAO/WHO 전문가 위원회의식품 알레르겐에 대한 위해평가 결과
국내 식품 알레르기 표시제도 및 유병률 현황
국내 식품 알레르기 표시제도 개선방안
Conclusion
국문요약
Conflict of interests
ORCID
References

• 함준혁(경희대학교 식품생명공학과) | Jun-Hyeok Ham (Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea)
• 이연정(경희대학교 식품생명공학과) | Yeon-Jung Lee (Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea)
• 서승만(경희대학교 식품생명공학과) | Seung Man Suh (Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea)
• 김해영(경희대학교 식품생명공학과) | Hae-Yeong Kim (Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea) Corresponding author
• 손문기(경희대학교 식품생명공학과) | Mun-Gi Sohn (Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea) Corresponding author