What Are U.S. Food Allergen Labeling Requirements?
In the United States, food allergen labeling is regulated by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This law requires that packaged foods clearly disclose the presence of the nine major allergens — milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame — either in the ingredient list or in a separate “Contains” statement.
These regulations ensure that consumers with food allergies can make informed and safe purchasing decisions. Packaged food items, including grab-and-go options like sandwiches, salads, and pastries, must comply with allergen disclosure rules to protect sensitive consumers.
Implications and Challenges
Meeting FDA allergen labeling requirements presents several challenges for businesses in the foodservice and retail sectors, particularly those offering Grab-and-Go options such as forecourt operations, bakeries, restaurants, and cafés. Key issues include:
-
Compliance Challenges: Businesses must ensure that all packaged foods are labeled accurately according to FDA guidelines. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, recalls, and damage to consumer trust.
-
Labeling Complexity: Manually tracking ingredients and allergens can be labor-intensive and error-prone, posing serious health risks to customers with allergies.
-
Operational Strain: Fast-paced environments require quick and efficient labeling processes. Inadequate systems can slow operations and negatively impact customer satisfaction.
How Dill Solves These Issues
Dill offers a comprehensive labeling solution designed to streamline compliance with FDA allergen regulations:
-
Automated Allergen Flagging: Dill automatically scans ingredient lists to detect and flag any of the nine major allergens required under FALCPA, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring regulatory compliance.
-
Expiry Date Management: Our system calculates and tracks use-by dates based on product shelf life, ensuring that consumers receive safe and accurate information at all times.
-
Barcode Generation: Dill automatically generates barcodes tied to product codes and prices, simplifying inventory management and sales processes.
-
Advanced Recipe Builder: Our recipe builder allows businesses to efficiently create and manage product recipes, ensuring precise ingredient tracking and consistent allergen compliance.
By automating and simplifying the labeling process, Dill enables businesses to maintain compliance, enhance food safety, and protect brand reputation — all while saving time and improving operational efficiency.
