FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2001

Contact: 
Timothy Willard (202/637-8060),
or Libby Mikesell (202/639-5919)

NFPA STRESSES NEED FOR COOPERATIVE EFFORTS ON FOOD ALLERGEN LABELING, RATHER THAN NEW LEGISLATION

(Washington, D.C.) – In response to the announcement by Rep. Nita Lowey of New York that she will introduce legislation on the labeling of allergens in food products, Dr. Rhona Applebaum, Executive Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for the National Food Processors Association (NFPA), made the following comments:

“The food industry takes the issue of food allergens very seriously.  Food companies have taken the lead in developing manufacturing practices to help avoid the inclusion of any unlabeled allergens in food products, as well as in ensuring the accuracy of food labeling when it comes to the presence of allergens in food products.

“While Congressional interest in the important topics of food safety and food allergens is understandable, we believe that legislation is not necessary.  Existing regulations clearly require that all ingredients be listed on food labels in order to protect consumers with food allergies, and FDA has ample authority to enforce those regulations.  The food industry is now working with FDA and with consumer groups on new guidelines to ensure that industry practices are truly effective in providing accurate labeling for the presence of allergens in food.

“In April, NFPA released an industry ‘Code of Practice’ for managing food allergens, which specifically addresses allergen labeling.  The Code was developed with input not only from NFPA’s member companies but also from the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, the leading consumer group addressing this issue.  It is the food industry’s position that food processors must be diligent in informing consumers about the presence of allergens in products.

“Equally important, our industry continues to work with government and consumer groups on education efforts to provide consumers with the information they need on the important issue of food allergies.  We believe that education is critical for consumers with food allergies to ensure that they know how to read food labels and get the information they need on these products.”

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NFPA is the voice of the $460 billion food processing industry on scientific and public policy issues involving food safety, nutrition, technical and regulatory matters and consumer affairs. 

For more information on this issue, contact Timothy Willard, NFPA's Vice President of Communications, at (202) 637-8060; Libby Mikesell, Senior Director of Communications, at (202) 639-5919; or visit NFPA's Website at http://www.nfpa-food.org/ .