Major food allergens

On Jan. 1, 2023, sesame became the ninth major food allergen in the U.S.

Allergen labeling is required for packaged food products that contain any of these ingredients.  

Major food allergens must be identified by name in the ingredient list. This must include proteins derived from a major food allergen. 

The nine major food allergens are: 

• Crustacean shellfish 
• Eggs 
• Fish 
• Milk
• Peanuts 
• Sesame
• Soy
• Tree nuts 
• Wheat

Prepare with care

Take food allergens seriously. 

• Carefully check food labels
• Train your staff on food allergy awareness

Avoid cross-contact

• Maintain accurate recipes onsite listing all ingredients
• Properly label all foods containing major food allergens and store them away from other food products
• Follow safe food preparation procedures 
• Give allergen free food items directly to server or to customer instead of setting the food item on the expo line

Handwashing and cleaning

• Wash hands and change gloves before handling allergen free food
• Clean and sanitize
  • Work surfaces
  • Cooking equipment
  • Utensils

Returned food 

• If a food item is returned to the kitchen for an allergen reason, always remake the item
• Do not try to remove an allergen and send the food back

Keep labels 

Businesses should keep the ingredient list from the label of food items purchased in a

• Package
• Bag
• Box
• Can
• Bottle

Examples: packaged buns from a bakery, boxed pasta, prepared sauces, etc. 

Keep your recipes in a centralized location to be able to answer ingredient and allergen questions from your customers. 

Label items you package

If you prepare and package food items for self-service, you must label the items.

Food is packaged if the food business:

• Bottles, cans, cartons, wraps or bags the product
• Makes the product available for self-service

Allergy labeling requirements

Apply to:

• Retail and food service businesses that package, label and offer products for human consumption

Does not apply to:

• Foods placed in a wrapper or container following a customer’s order at the point of purchase

Identify food allergens on your label by either: 

• Listing the common or usual name of the food source, followed by the name of the allergen in parentheses. Examples:
  • Flour (wheat)
  • Whey (milk)
• After the ingredient list, place the word “Contains:” followed by the food allergen. Example:
  • Contains: wheat, milk

Remember

• For tree nuts, declare the specific type of nut
  Examples: almonds, coconut, pecans
• For fish or crustacean shellfish, declare the species
  Examples: walleye, shrimp, lobster