FDA Food Allergy 411

Over the years, proper food allergy labeling has improved grocery shopping and made life easier for individuals with Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and the top eight common food allergies. However, things have taken a sudden turn, and definitely not for the better…

Recently, the FDA has relaxed labeling requirements during the Covid19 Pandemic. So, what exactly does this mean for the food allergy community? It means that cross-contamination will not receive the same attention or care that it did before the coronavirus.

In addition, if a company isn’t able to get a typical ingredient they’re allowed to substitute it without any warning. For example, if almond flour is used it could be changed to peanut flour, or if peanut oil is used it could be changed to soybean oil. The omission makes it impossible for customers to determine if any such substitution has taken place without first calling the manufacturer directly before they purchase a particular product.

So basically, will you choose to take a chance and purchase your usual readymade gluten-free foods? Will you cook all your meals from scratch at home? Especially since, there’s concern behind the hidden meanings of certain terms like“spices” or “natural flavors.” Thus, resulting in this problem being exacerbated.

Now, while US labeling regulations began showing improvements over the last decade, the FDA has caused us to take major leaps backward. The food allergy community, which is approximately 32 million Americans, has more reasons to mistrust labels once again.

We must urge the FDA to change this new ruling. We need the Celiac community to speak up!