Changes
in Food Labeling Laws
by Barbara D. Allan
Author of Conquering Arthritis
As many of you already know from reading my book,
food allergies or hypersensitivities are a major underlying
cause of arthritis. One of the keys to healing arthritis,
therefore, is knowing what is in the foods you eat so
that you can avoid your problem foods long enough to
heal.
In the United States a change in food labeling laws
now makes this easier. As of January 1, 2006, all food
labels must declare in plain language the top 8 food
allergens (milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts,
tree nuts, wheat, and soy). These allergens must be
listed on the ingredient list or via:
- the word 'Contains' followed by the name of the
major food allergen (milk, wheat, or eggs, for example);
or
- a parenthetical statement in the list of ingredients,
e.g., 'albumin (egg)'.
Such ingredients must be listed even if they are present
in colors, flavors, or spice blends. Additionally, manufacturers
must list the specific nut or seafood that is used (e.g.,
almond, walnut, cashew; or tuna, salmon, shrimp, or
lobster). While more than 160 foods have been identified
as causing allergic reactions, the eight foods listed
above cause 90% of food-allergic reactions.
Keep in mind, however, that the law only applies to
products labeled on or after January 1, 2006. Depending
on a product's shelf life, it takes a year or more before
all newly sold products list ingredients in simple language.
So we are just starting to consistently see
the results of this new law in the marketplace.
Even so, continue to read all labels carefully, especially
long shelf life items, and be on the lookout for scientific
terms (i.e., 'casein' for milk, or 'albumin' for egg).
If you have a problem with any other problem foods
that are not covered under the new law (like corn products),
you will still have to be on the lookout for alternative
names (like dextrose, starch, maltodextrin, etc.) This
new law will do nothing to help you identify those foods.
Additional Information
The FDA's online Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (CFSAN)
has additional information on the Food
Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA).
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