Allergen Update
Changes may occur soon within the food
industry in relation to labeling and allergenic substances. The
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act was unanimously
approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee on September 25. It will be considered by the full
Senate. Companion bills first introduced in May 2002
would:
-
Amend section 403 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to impose new labeling
requirements for allergenic substances in foods by
Jan. 1, 2006
-
Direct the FDA to examine
"cross contact" and "may contain"
labeling
-
Increase allergen inspections
-
Promote research and the
publication of data on food allergens
-
Mandate that FDA and the states
work together in revising the Food Code to provide
guidelines for preparing allergen-free foods in food
establishments
The bill also specifies that a product is
misbranded if it intentionally contains a major food allergen unless
the common or usual name of the allergen is followed in parentheses
by the name of the food source. Or immediately following or
adjacent to the ingredients is a statement that the food
"contains" the food source of the
allergen.
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