NFPA and its Member companies continue to develop processing, analytical, and operational strategies to further reduce the risk to allergic consumers of ingesting food allergens. For additional information on the Code of Practice, click here. If food manufacturers don't follow good manufacturing practices and carefully control that what is in the package matches what is on the label, we are all in big trouble. Many large food companies have long been aware of how serious food allergies can be, and have made appropriate changes in their manufacturing and labeling practices. There are still many more companies that have yet to take the issue seriously, and not doing so could cost the life of a food-allergic individual.
Many consumers mistakenly believe that non-dairy means there is no milk in a product.
Current labeling guidelines allow the use of non-dairy when the foods contain milk byproducts. FAAN members have long complained about this loophole. To be sure of avoiding a major allergen, a food-allergic consumer would need to call the manufacturer before purchasing the product. On a positive note, this study may serve as a wakeup call that the FDA, the food industry, and consumer groups need to work together on behalf of the 7 million food-allergic consumers in this country. We are close to having a large number of food industry trade associations and manufacturers agree on a written plan for improvements to food labeling.