Food allergen labeling is a hot topic. While it has always been important to the six to seven million Americans suffering from food allergies, labeling of food allergens became more realistic to food manufacturers after the Food and Drug Administration released the "Food Allergen Partnership" study in March.
The study's major finding, that 25% of sampled food products tested positive for peanut allergens--even though peanuts were not declared on the label--was widely reported. Groups are calling on the FDA to change requirements of food allergen labeling, making food labels clearer and easier for consumers to understand. The labeling of all food allergens also is being requested, including those that currently have incidental ingredient and collective naming exemptions in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the Act).