What is the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004?
FALCPA is an amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and requires that the label of a food that contains an ingredient that is or contains protein from a “major food allergen ” declare the presence of the allergen in the manner described by the law.
Why was the Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act created?
This law was passed largely due to the efforts of organizations such as the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). The purpose of this act was to prevent manufacturers from using misleading, uncommon, or confusing methods to label their ingredients.
When was Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act passed?
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA)
What must be on a food allergy label?
The name of the food source of a major food allergen must appear: In parentheses following the name of the ingredient. Immediately after or next to the list of ingredients in a “contains” statement. Example: “Contains wheat, milk, and soy.”
What are the top 8 potential food allergens listed on the food label?
The eight major allergens are: milk, egg, fish, crustacean shell fish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans. These 8 major food allergens identified by FALCPA account for over 90 percent of all documented food allergies in the U.S.
What does the phrase may contain mean if it is on a food label *?
Some manufacturers voluntarily include a separate advisory statement, such as “may contain” or “produced in a facility,” on their labels when there is a chance that a food allergen could be present. A manufacturer might use the same equipment to make different products.
When was FALCPA passed?
Congress passed FALCPA in 2006 as a way for consumers to easily recognize the presence of allergens in food. It makes grocery shopping a little less stressful in many ways because consumers can see which foods contain allergens and which do not.
Why are allergens stated on food packaging?
Some foods and food ingredients or their components can cause severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, which is why declaring allergens is important.
What is the first item to notice on a food label?
So the first thing to look for on a label is the number of calories per serving. The FDA’s new Calories Count program aims to make calorie information on labels easier to find by putting it in larger, bolder type. Serving size and number of servings per container.
What is food allergy?
Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways.