"Current regulations for product labels require the use of scientific terms: albumin for eggs or whey instead of milk. These terms can be confusing for adults, let alone children," said Katic. "The new guidelines we are outlining today will bring some clarity to confusion and help parents and children with food allergies avoid products that may trigger a reaction."

Katic presented the new labeling guidelines at a Food Allergy Issues Alliance press conference today. The alliance is a group of food trade associations, consumer groups and other interested organizations that convene to address allergy-related issues.

Major points covered by the food allergen labeling guidelines include:

--Identification of the eight major food allergens;

--Using simple, easy-to-understand terms for allergens and consistently placing that information within, or in immediate proximity to, the ingredient panel;

--Disclosure of the presence of major food allergens when they are an intentional part of the food. Thus, allergens would be disclosed regardless of the fact they may currently be exempted from declaration (e.g., as part of a flavor, or as an incidental additive or processing aid); and

--Establish guidelines for conditions when the use of supplemental allergen statements ("may contain" labeling) is appropriate.

"These guidelines are the result of careful and thoughtful effort by industry and consumer groups," said Katic. "These guidelines offer flexibility for manufacturers while protecting the health of those who suffer from food allergies."

The allergy labeling guidelines are available at www.gmabrands.com.

###

• Gene Grabowski
  

COMMENT
• September 1, 2001  Scientific Analysis Regarding Objectionable Matter in Food
NEWS RELEASE
• August 13, 2001  Food Industry Leading Efforts To Better Inform Consumers About Food Allergies
• May 31, 2001  GMA, Food Allergy Alliance Develop "Easy to Understand" Labeling Guidelines
TESTIMONY
• August 13, 2001  Advisory Labeling of Major Food Allergens
• August 13, 2001  GMA Testimony to FDA on Common English Name Labeling

COMMENT
• April 5, 2002  The Codex “Proposed Draft Amendment to the General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods: Quantitative Declaration of Ingredients”
• December 21, 2001  Traceability & Labeling Provisions of Proposed Regulations on Genetically Modified - Food & Feed and Traceability & Labeling
• August 30, 2001  Traceability & Labeling Provisions of the Proposed Regulations on Genetically Modified Food & Feed and the Traceability & Labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms
• July 10, 2001  ICGMA Comments on Australian Country-of-Origin Labeling Proposal
• March 28, 2000  Guidance on Significant Scientific Agreement
CORRESPONDENCE
• January 14, 2003  GMA Letter to FDA Calling for Mutual Recognition of Labeling Standards in North America
• September 12, 2001  GMA Urges Mutual Recognition on Food Labeling between the U.S. and Canada
• November 30, 2000  GMA Supports Canadian Move to Harmonize Nutritional Labeling
• November 12, 1999  In Letter to Clinton, 38 Food, Farm Organizations Urge President to Support FDA Food Biotechnology Policy
NEWS RELEASE
• July 22, 2003  GMA SAYS BIOTECH TRACEABILITY, LABELING RULE WILL INHIBIT TRADE
  EU Labeling Rule Not Supported by Science
• May 29, 2003  GMA RECOMMENDS NEW, EFFICIENT QUALIFIED HEALTH CLAIMS APPROVAL PROCESS
• November 6, 2002   OREGONIANS REJECT MANDATORY BIOTECH LABELING
• May 8, 2002  GMA Says Lawsuit Calling for Warning Labels Unfounded; FDA and California Attorney General Say Chocolate is Safe
• May 7, 2002  .
• August 13, 2001  Food Industry Leading Efforts To Better Inform Consumers About Food Allergies
• July 27, 2001  CURRENT LABELING LAWS ALLOW CONSUMERS TO MAKE "SMART BUYING DECISIONS"
• May 31, 2001  GMA, Food Allergy Alliance Develop "Easy to Understand" Labeling Guidelines
• May 23, 2001  GMA Says Massachusetts Mandatory Labeling Bill "Unnecessary And Redundant"
• May 4, 2001  U.S. Industry and Government Position Prevails on Biotech Labeling at Codex
• May 3, 2001  FDA POLICY KEEPS IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC, GMA TELLS CONGRESS
• January 17, 2001  FDA PROPOSAL FOR BIOTECH LABELING AND PRODUCT APPROVAL "A VICTORY FOR CONSUMERS"
• November 18, 1999  GMA: FDA Biotech Labeling Policy Protects Consumers, "Serves The Public Interest"
• November 15, 1999  Three Dozen Food, Farm Groups Urge President to Support FDA Biotech Policy
• June 11, 1999  GMA: NATIONAL UNIFORMITY FOR FOOD ACT REPRESENTS "COMMON SENSE CONSUMER INITIATIVE" House Bill Introduced by Rep. Burr; Companion to Sen. Roberts' Measure
• May 27, 1999  GMA: COMMON SENSE BILL PROVIDES UNIFORM, SCIENCE-BASED FOOD LABELING STANDARDS FOR CONSUMERS
• May 11, 1999  GMA: "TIME IS RIPE" FOR FDA TO RECONSIDER AND REVISE HEALTH CLAIMS APPROVAL PROCESS
• September 1, 1998  FOOD INDUSTRY URGES FDA NOMINEE TO PUT FOOD ISSUES ON EQUAL LEVEL
TESTIMONY
• March 10, 2003  GMA Testimony in Opposition Connecticut Biotech Food Labeling Bill
• April 8, 2002  GMA Letter of Opposition to California Trans Fatty Acids Labeling Bill
• March 25, 2002  GMA Letter of Opposition to Mandatory Rhode Island rBST Labeling Bill
• February 5, 2002  GMA Letter of Opposition to Hawaii Biotech-Free Food Labeling Bill
• October 9, 2001  GMA Letter of Opposition to Puerto Rico Biotech Food Labeling Bill
• August 13, 2001  Advisory Labeling of Major Food Allergens
• August 13, 2001  GMA Testimony to FDA on Common English Name Labeling
• June 28, 2001  GMA Testifies in Opposition to Suffolk County, NY Bottled Water Labeling Resolution
• May 31, 2001  Food Allergy Issues Alliance Labeling Guidelines
• May 30, 2001  GMA Letter in Opposition to New York Product Dating Labeling Bill
• May 23, 2001  GMA Testifies Against Massachusetts Bill for Mandatory Labeling of Biotech Foods
• May 7, 2001  GMA Testifies in Support of FDA Biotech-Free Labeling Guidance at New York Hearing
• May 3, 2001  FDA POLICY KEEPS IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC
• April 17, 2001  GMA Comments on USDA/GIPSA Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• April 13, 2001  GMA Letter of Opposition to Mass. Green Dot Labeling Legislation
• April 11, 2001  GMA Testifies in Support of FDA-Based Maine "Biotech-Free" Labeling Bill
• March 29, 2001  Expert Witness Testifies on Behalf of GMA in Opposition to Maine Mandatory Biotech Food Labeling Bill
• March 29, 2001  GMA Letter in Opposition to Maine Mandatory Biotech Food Labeling Bill
• March 21, 2001  GMA Testifies in Opposition to New Hampshire Mandatory Food Biotechnology Labeling Bill
• March 21, 2001  GMA Testifies in Support of FDA GMO-Free Labeling Guidance at Minnesota Hearing
• March 21, 2001  Voluntary Labeling Indicating Whether Foods Have or Have Not Been Developed Using Bioengineering
• March 15, 2001  Letter in Opposition to Connecticut Prop 65 Clone Bill
• February 15, 2001  GMA Letter in Opposition of Nebraska Product Origin Labeling Bill
• February 14, 2001  GMA Letter in Opposition to Florida "Sell By" Product Dating Bill
• February 9, 2001  GMA Letter of Opposition to Colorado Biotech Food Labeling Bill
• February 9, 2001  GMA Letter of Opposition to Rhode Island rBST Labeling Bill
• February 7, 2001  Biotech Labeling Legislation Pending In Mexico
• February 29, 2000  GMA Testimony, Connecticut Warning Label Legislation, SB 433
• November 18, 1999  GMA Testimony on Biotechnology: FDA Biotech Labeling Policy Protects Consumers, "Serves The Public Interest"
• June 23, 1999  GMA Urges Veto Of Senate Bill 945
• May 10, 1999  GMA Opposes HB 3136
• April 12, 1999  GMA Opposes Legislative Docket 1985
• April 12, 1999  GMA Opposes Legislative Docket 713
• March 10, 1999  GMA Opposes House Bill 887
• July 28, 1998  The Transatlantic Economic Partnership