Food Labels Failing Allergic Consumers, Say Groups

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Aug. 15, 2001 (Washington) -- Consumer groups urged the FDA at a meeting this week to enact regulations that would require food manufacturers to list any ingredients known to trigger allergic reactions -- such as peanuts, eggs, and milk -- on product labels, and to do so in simple language easily understandable by consumers.

Representatives from the food industry, however, opposed such requirements, insisting that voluntary guidelines put forward this past spring are adequate to protect consumers.

The FDA sponsored the meeting to examine the issue of whether the seven million Americans with food allergies can understand the wording food manufacturers use on labels.

Eight foods -- peanuts, tree nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc.), fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat -- account for 90% of allergic reactions caused by food. The reactions in these people can range from tingling in the mouth and swelling of the tongue to death.

Often, labeling will use alternate names for these foods -- such as casein for milk derivative or semolina for wheat. For those with food allergies, misunderstanding these words can be fatal -- 150 deaths occur each year because people with food allergies ate foods they believed did not contain these ingredients.

Labels should list allergens in clear, simple terms, said Anne Munoz-Furlong, president of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, an advocacy group for people with food allergies. She noted that a FAAN survey found that 98% of respondents felt that not enough information about allergens was contained on labeling and 88% said that labeling was difficult to understand.

Michael Jacobson, PhD, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, took it a step farther. The FDA "should require an entirely redesigned ingredients label," because current labels "are designed not to be read," he said.

To this end, he unveiled a design for the new labeling, in which ingredients are listed in clear, large type and there is a section specifically for listing allergens.

But Regina Hildwine of the National Food Processors Association and Lisa Katic, RD, of the Grocery Manufacturers of America argued that these labeling regulations are unnecessary because most food manufacturers are expected to implement voluntary labeling guidelines established by the industry in April.

In addition, voluntary changes can be implemented immediately, whereas new FDA regulations would take several years to design and put in place, Katic said.

Another issue is the increasing use of statements like "May contain [particular allergen]" on labels.

"Excessive use of such statements may cover up sloppy manufacturing practices," Jacobson said. He also charged that industry lawyers are advising companies not to test for allergens in their products and are using the "May contain" statements in order to avoid lawsuits.

Munoz-Furlong noted that a bag of raisins with raisins as the only ingredient listed contained a statement on labels that the product "May contain peanuts."

"You have to wonder what is going on," she said.

Jacobson called for the FDA to conduct regular, unannounced inspections and testing of products for allergens to ensure that manufacturers are following proper procedures.

In order to fund these additional inspections, he urged the FDA to seek $10 million a year in additional funding from Congress. He also challenged industry groups to support this cause. The GMA's Katic said her group supports even more inspection funding for the FDA.

The FDA has no set timeline on when or if it might respond to the issues raised at the meeting, agency spokesperson Kathleen Kolar tells WebMD.

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