Good News for Kids with Food Allergies

The U.S. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires food manufacturers to identify in plain English any ingredients that contain protein from the following:

•     Milk
•     Eggs
•     Fish (like scaly fish)
•     Crustacean shellfish (like shrimp)
•     Tree nuts
•     Peanuts
•     Wheat
•     Soybeans

The labeling will list these ingredients specifically or say "contains" followed by the name of the source of the food allergen. These eight major food allergens account for nearly 90% of all food allergy reactions, many of which are severe or life-threatening. This labeling will be helpful to children who need to recognize food substances to avoid. For example, if a food contains the milk-derived protein "casein," the product label will have to use the term "milk" (as well as the term "casein") so people with milk allergies can clearly understand the presence of the allergen they need to avoid.
 
For more information, visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America > > >