Food Allergens

National Major Allergen Labeling

CSPI pushes for uniform national safeguards to minimize unnecessary allergen exposure and promote better labeling transparency.  We fueled the push for national food allergen labeling with a petition to the FDA for allergen labeling that helped inspire the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004. We continue to work to bring uniform allergen labeling to foods regulated by the US Department of Agriculture, and press for allergen labeling in restaurants with the Food Labeling Modernization Act, which requires point-of-sale major allergen labeling for non-prepackaged foods.

Specific Allergen Labeling

CSPI has also led the charge in requiring transparent nationwide labeling for specific life-threatening allergens:

• In 1987, the FDA banned sulfite preservatives (potentially lethal allergens) in most fresh foods, following CSPI's five-year effort.
• In 2009, in response to a CSPI petition, the FDA required labeling for the allergens carmine and cochineal, which are dyes derived from crushed insects.
• In 2017, CSPI successfully negotiated to require stronger warnings on Quorn, a meat substitute made from mold that can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions. Read more about Quorn.
• In 2014 CSPI petitioned the FDA to require sesame to be labeled on foods, the same as other major allergens. Read more about sesame labeling.