FDA Update on U.S. Allergy Labeling - Jay Lee's U.S. Communication (147)

List of Nut Allergies Reduced to 12… Excluding Coconut and Others

Milk Definition Expanded to Include Goat and Sheep Milk… Whey Must Be Treated as Allergen

Eggs Now Include Duck and Goose Eggs… Source Type Must Be Listed

Korean Foods Must Label 9 Major Allergens and Be Cautious of Cross-Contamination

△ Lee Jong-chan, CEO of J&B Food Consulting

Earlier this year, the FDA announced changes to its labeling guidelines. The guidelines include updates to the definitions of common food allergens, such as milk, eggs, and nuts.

The FDA has reduced the list of nuts that require allergy labeling from 23 to 12 types. The nuts that still require labeling are:

Almonds

Black Walnuts

Brazil Nuts

California Walnuts

Cashews

Hazelnuts

Heartnuts

Macadamia Nuts

Pecans

Pine Nuts (Pinon Nuts)

Pistachios

English and Persian Walnuts

However, nuts that are excluded from allergy labeling include:

Coconut

Cola Nut

Chestnuts

Butternuts

Chinquapin

Ginkgo Nuts

Hickory Nuts

Palm Nuts

Pili Nuts

Shea Nuts

There has been ongoing debate regarding the need for allergy labeling when coconut oil is used in products, and now it has been excluded from the nut allergy list.

The FDA has also expanded the definition of "eggs" for food allergy labeling purposes. Eggs from domesticated chickens, ducks, geese, quail, and other birds are now considered "eggs." Additionally, the source of eggs, such as duck eggs, must be clearly stated on the packaging.

The definition of milk has also been broadened. The FDA now includes milk from goats, sheep, and other ruminant animals in the definition of "milk." For example, products containing goat milk must indicate "goat milk" in the ingredient list and allergy labeling. The FDA also requires the labeling of whey and other milk-derived ingredients as major food allergens, specifying the type of ruminant or animal-derived source (e.g., whey from goat milk).

Some products containing coconut may have extended shelf lives, and the phrase “Contains: Tree Nuts (Coconut)” is expected to be phased out gradually over time, not immediately, with a final deadline of January 1, 2028 (currently awaiting confirmation from the FDA).

For Korean food exports to the U.S., the most important concern is allergens. While allergens must also be labeled in Korea, the types differ from those in the U.S.

When exporting food from Korea to the U.S., it is crucial to verify whether any of the U.S.'s 9 major allergens (wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustaceans, soybeans, sesame, milk, eggs) are present and to ensure proper labeling. Care should also be taken to prevent cross-contamination with other allergenic ingredients. It should be noted that one-third of food recalls in the U.S. are caused by failure to label allergens.

Korean products often use many complex ingredients, and failure to list all the ingredients can be an issue. In the U.S., every component must be listed, including any allergens. During this process, it is essential to confirm that allergens are included and properly labeled. Given the large number of people with allergies in the U.S., extra caution is needed to avoid consumer lawsuits.

Source: Food and Beverage News (http://www.thinkfood.co.kr)

Feel free to contact us

jay@jnbfoodconsulting.com or 714-873-5566

저작권자 © 식품음료신문 무단전재 및 재배포 금지

출처 : 식품음료신문(http://www.thinkfood.co.kr)