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K. J. FALCI, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Office of Scientific Analysis & Support, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., HFS-700, College Park, MD 20740-3835 It is clear that with the passage of the new “Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act” in August 2004, a wide new and changing food allergen labeling world has been thrust upon the food industry and, to some extent, the U.S. consumer. It seems that, having at one turn fulfilled the request to better identify food allergens present in food on food packaging labels, has led, at another turn, to the difficulty of practically accomplishing this labeling. The difficulty lies in now identifying food allergens previously thought to be present in foods at levels so insignificant that their presence on the food label was not done. One can just imagine the reaction of an allergen-wary consumer noticing the appearance of a food allergen in his favorite product, which previously he did not think had it. Would he think, "Well, I ate it before...it should be OK now too, I guess"? In its wisdom, Congress has left the food industry two ways to alert the Agency of its intent not to identify the presence of a food allergen on the food label. One is a petition process, and the other is a notification process. A clear understanding of these two procedures will be discussed today with the intent of reducing both consumer and industry worry. In addition, current regulatory updates will be addressed.
Session 8, Implications of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004
2005 IFT Annual Meeting, July 15-20 - New Orleans, Louisiana |