PLEASE NOTE: Only for companies that have received explanations about how to use the tool.
Latest version: 45517 (August 13, 2024).
Allergen Risk Calculator
The Allergen Risk Calculator is a calculation tool in Excel developed by Allergenen Consultancy. This is provided for on-site advice and at the training risk calculation cross-contamination allergens (VITAL).
With this Calculator a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) can be carried out of cross-contamination for the fourteen legal allergens. This calculation can be tested against different sets of reference doses (RfD): those of VWS (Dutch values), FAVV (Belgium), VITAL and FAO/WHO (Codex Alimentarius).
|
Download step-by-step plan for allergen risk calculation
 
|
Our calculation tool is accepted by major Dutch retailers for upload in SIM and TraceOne.
Changes version 45517 (13-8-2024)
Changes have been made due to the publication of VITAL 4.0. It Allergen Bureau has adjusted the reference doses to ED05, in accordance with the advice of the FAO/WHO Expert Consultation. These values correspond to those previously established in the Netherlands and Belgium. With the publication of VITAL 4.0 are the previous reference doses of VITAL 3.0 (based on ED01) withdrawn. Since the current labeling (Precautionary Allergen Labeling - PAL) may be based on the lower ED01 values, the reference doses of VITAL 3.0 has also been included in the ARC to determine the consequences for the label. A PAL may have been necessary before and not now.
Changes version 45327 (5-2-2024)
Various substantive changes have been implemented, such as the addition of new Dutch reference doses from 2024, the Belgian doses from 2022, the FAO/WHO values from 2022 and 2023. In addition, data from the most recent food consumption survey and protein levels of allergen raw materials have been integrated into the tool. A handy import function has been developed to convert calculations from previous versions of the tool.
Technical adjustments have also been made to the security settings within Office for files with macros (the file has a digital certificate). The licensing structure is new. The file has a license term of one year. After this period the file can no longer be used. However, the data will be retained. After updating the license information, the file and the data stored in it can be used again.
A complete overview of changes is available on request.
Because the reference doses have changed, this may affect the outcome of the assessment of the different allergens and therefore the information on the label. The new Dutch reference doses are broader than those of VITAL. It is expected that it will become increasingly apparent that Precautionary Allergen Labeling (PAL) is not necessary. In the new Dutch allergen policy, which includes the new values, indicates that two wordings are possible for a PAL. The end date for adapting the labels for the Dutch market is 1-1-2026.
In case of multiple sales areas of the same product, it is recommended to comply with local legislation. If information is required about RfD, quantitative risk assessment and PAL in other countries, please contact us.
Subscriptions
The Update Service is closed for use of the Allergen Risk Calculator. The update service involves an annual renewal of the license. We will send the new license details approximately one month before the end of the current license. In addition, the calculation tool is regularly adapted to the latest scientific insights and legal developments. A new version will then be sent automatically.
To stay informed of developments and to ensure that the allergen risk calculation is quickly approved by the customer, a subscription to the update service can be taken out here.
The advantages at a glance:
- Validated calculation tool
- Continued use of the tool
- Calculation of point contamination and homogeneous contamination from process or raw materials.
- Testing against different sets of reference doses.
- Including consumption data (from Food Consumption Survey 2019-2021) to support the choice of consumption size.
- Handy overview of protein contents of different raw materials
- Always have the latest version of the Allergen Risk Calculator (Excel). Allergenen Consultancy
- Be kept informed of important changes to allergen risk assessments
- Accepted format for upload in TraceOne (Albert Heijn) and SIM (Jumbo, Plus).
System requirements
The tool is an Excel application and is fully compatible with Excel versions from 2021. In older Excel versions certain functionalities do not work. The file is not suitable for Excel for the Web (Online).
Mac users are advised to use a Windows emulation.
Subscription conditions:
Only for companies that have previously received the calculation tool during training or advice Allergenen Consultancy or a VITAL endorsed training provider. Allergenen Consultancy reserves the right to refuse requests and orders for the update service. Price per year. Service is tacitly renewed every year. Cancellation is possible at any time before the next renewal. Updates will be sent until the end of the contract period.
