PEDIATRIC ASTHMA, ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGYVolume 12, Number 3, 1998Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Deciphering Food Ingredient Statements

ANNE MUNOZ-FURLONG

Reading ingredient statements and avoiding any food that contains the food to which one is allergicis the only way to manage a food allergy. To date, no medication prevents allergic reactions, as is the

case with asthma, nor does a cure exist for food allergies.Scientists are working on various fronts hoping to provide solutions that range from downregulating the

immune system's response to the food allergen so reactions are not so severe to developing foods, such as

peanuts, which do not contain the proteins that cause the allergic response to developing a vaccine to pre¬vent the allergy in children at high risk. Much of this work looks promising; however, until there is a cure,reading ingredient labels is key.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Food processors around the world are becoming aware that for some consumers even trace amounts ofcertain ingredients—invisible to the eye—can cause an allergic reaction. They have been reviewing theirproduction processes, changing their labels to reflect allergy information, and supporting research to de¬velop test kits that will help them find trace amounts of ingredients on shared equipment. The Food andAllergy Network (FAN) will continue to report labeling changes and new developments in research. As one

industry expert explained, "We are trying to turn an industry the size of an ocean liner. We have made some

progress, but we are working with supplies, flavor houses, and factories that are as much as 50 years old,it will take some time before everyone is on the same page allergy-wise."Until then, below is a quick review of the various allergen statements currently in use. These statements

are being voluntarily used by food companies. As a result, we will not see them on all food packages, andthat is why a range of statements are currently in use.

"May contain ..." This statement is most popular in Canada, and it is gaining popularity in the UnitedStates. Some Canadian families report that almost all products now contain this statement, thereby limitingthe food choices to the allergic consumer. One family reported that they grew so tired of seeing it, that theyignore it because they have found that their peanut-allergic daughter has never had a reaction to productslabeled "May contain." They feel that this statement is the food industry's way of protecting itself from li¬ability if a production line is not completely or accurately cleaned. Is this wise? Are their assumptions cor¬

rect?Most of the products we eat are produced on shared equipment with similarly sized or similarly pack¬

aged products. For example, chocolate chips are processed on equipment that is also used to make butter¬scotch chips; often, cheese and peanut butter-flavored sandwich cookies are all filled on the same equip¬ment.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requires companies to follow Good Manufacturing Practices(GMPs). The FDA has clearly stated that allergen labeling cannot take the place of GMPs. Presently, ade¬quate tests do not exist to determine if the equipment is free of trace amounts of the previous ingredients.

The Food Allergy Network (FAN) is a nonprofit organization that provides education and coping strategies to thosewith food allergies and their families.

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MUNOZ-FURLONG

As a result, some manufacturers use "May contain" labeling as a precautionary statement for those withfood allergies.

"Processed in the same plant that manufacturers...." As the statement reads, this is used to alert indi¬viduals that one of the major allergenic foods (peanuts, nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, or shellfish) ispresent somewhere in the plant. This statement is very broad and really does not provide any useful infor¬mation."Manufactured on equipment that also processes...." The purpose of this statement is to alert the aller¬

gic consumer that the product so labeled has been processed on equipment that also processes one of themajor allergens. This statement should be clearer than the others for allergic consumers. It leaves no doubtthat the allergen has been present at some step in the manufacturing process.

ADDITIONAL NEW ALLERGEN LABELING

"Contains...." This statement is often used as a reminder to the consumer that the product contains oneof the common causes of allergic reactions. This statement usually appears below the ingredient statement.

BOLDED INGREDIENT TERMS

Some products, especially General Mills products, include the allergen-causing ingredients in bold sothat they pop out on the ingredient statement. This is designed to provide a short cut for label reading forthe allergic consumer. It is not uncommon for the packages to also include a "Contains..." statement. Someproducts have "Contains ..." reminder statements near the instructions for use; others include remindersto read the ingredient statement on the box top flap.Unfortunately, these allergen statements are not in use throughout the entire food industry. Consumers

should keep inmind that ingredients can change without warning, such as any obvious changes to the prod¬uct packaging. As always, the best policy is to take the time to read all ingredient statements carefully andcall manufacturers if a question arises. Most of all, the information provided on the allergy statements shouldnot be ignored; doing so can be the equivalent of play Russian Roulette.

Address reprint requests to:Anne Muñoz-Furlong

The Food Allergy Network10400 Eaton Place

Suite 107Fairfax, VA 22030-2208

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