• Food allergies can be life-threatening.adrenaline injection image by Keith Frith from Fotolia.com
  
  Food allergies are fairly common, with an estimated 12 million Americans affected, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). Food labeling standards prior to 2006 were not standardized, creating confusion as many allergens were listed under chemical rather than common names. Additionally, several ingredients could be lumped together under the heading of "flavorings," "spices" or "colorings," including some ingredients that were potentially allergenic. The Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) designed the new labeling system to give people with food allergies more confidence when shopping for food.
  
  

Definitions

• For the purposes of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCP), the FDA defines an "allergen" as a product derived from one of the "Big Eight" foods---milk, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, soy, eggs, peanuts or wheat---which contain allergenic proteins. These eight foods were chosen for the labeling regulation because, while other foods may be allergenic, these cause 90 percent of allergic reactions to food.
  
  

Requirements

• The FDA states that if a food produced for interstate distribution contains any of the "Big Eight" allergens, the product must be clearly labeled, either by listing the originating food in parenthesis next to the common name for the item---such as "vegetable oil (soybean)"---or in a "Contains" listing next to or below the ingredient list, in print the same size or larger than the ingredient list. Flavorings, colorings and additives which contain any allergens must be listed separately and labeled with the appropriate allergen. FAAN reports that a later addition to the regulations requires processing aids, such as spray used on baking pans, to be listed on the package either as an ingredient or in the "Contains" list.
  
  

Exemptions

• These regulations apply to all foods produced and shipped for sale interstate, including imported foods. Due to the various interpretations of "interstate," some locally prepared foods may not be covered, so due caution must be exercised, according to FAAN. Meat, poultry and certain egg products are also exempt from labeling regulations, even if allergens may have been added to the product during processing. Also, cross-contamination statements are not required to be printed on packaging by the FALCP act, as the cross-contamination may occur in situations outside the manufacturer's control, such as on the producing farm or during transport. A manufacturer may list potential cross-contaminates in a "May Contain" statement, but should not use such information in lieu of proper manufacturing processes, according to the Federal Department of Agriculture.