New FDA Requirements on Food Safety Elevate Allergen Controls

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http://blog.foodallergy.org/2015/09/21/new-fda-requirements-on-food-safety-elevate-allergen-controls/
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm334115.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

"While previously the FDA urged manufacturers to be careful to avoid the unintended presence of allergens in foods, now the industry is required to avoid the unintended presence of allergens in foods through a series of specific preventive controls."

Woah. Just woah. I didn't see this coming. I'm not sure if I am fully grasping the implications of the new regulations. Is cross-contamination required to be labeled, or is it required that it not happen at all? If we have a reaction to a cross-contaminated product, will we have legal grounds now like they do in the UK? Is a whole new world going to open up to us food-wise or will we not be able to eat anything ever again because food manufacturers will retaliate and label EVERYTHING x-cont?

[ajasfolks2]

Oh wow.

I think option B -- they'll just label it all as x-contam.

[spacecanada]

But even if they go with option B, they should only label x/c for priority allergens that are in the facility, right?  I can see some making a blanket statement, but that would be false advertising, right?

Wow!

[PurpleCat]

I agree!  Wow!