Food Allergies and Food Labeling: An International Problem

Abstract

The United States should step up to the plate and pass a regulation requiring the inclusion of allergens on ingredient labels regardless of the amount of allergen in the food. This regulation would put some teeth into the FDA’s current policy of doing this already. This one step would make a huge difference in the lives of allergy sufferers in the United States of course, but also likely around the world. They could buy more products safe in the knowledge that they will not make them sick. This regulation would have to be joined by a continued effort on the part of manufacturers to practice good manufacturing policies and reduce the risk of allergen contamination in their products. The current policies are an important step towards ensuring that all allergy sufferers feel safe with the food they buy in stores and prepare at home.