North Carolina Department of Agriculture-Food & Drug Protection Division 1/22/04 Subject: Allergens Undeclared allergens in food products

have become a major reason for recalls of food products recently. FDA has implemented a detailed questionnaire to be completed as part of their routine inspection of food processors and storage facilities. As we conduct our inspectional activities, we should also be aware of potentials for undeclared allergens. There are currently eight basic allergen components being examined. Examples of the components and foods containing sub-ingredients are included in parentheses. SOYBEANS { e.g. oils, miso, tofu, soy flour} PEANUTS { e.g. oils, peanut butter, peanut flour} FISH { e.g. fresh and salt water finfish} CRUSTACEA { e.g. shrimp, lobster, crab, crayfish} TREE NUTS { e.g. almonds, chestnuts, macadamia, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts or filberts, cashews, brazil nuts, pistachios, hickory nuts and pine nuts} MILK { e.g. butter, buttermilk, casein, cheese, cottage cheese, curds, whey, lactose, caseinate} EGG { e.g. egg yolks, egg whites, (egg white also know as albumin), mayonnaise, meringue, ovalbumin} WHEAT { e.g. flours, bran, bread crumbs, farina, malt wheat germ, wheat gluten, semolina, spelt} CORN cornstarch, powdered sugar COLORS FDC colors PRESERVATIVES sodium benzoate, sulfites These may be used in processing aids, spice blends, artificial and natural flavors, colors and binders. We also need to examine the use of rework as well as processing steps, environmental conditions, sanitation issues and product carry over due to the use of common equipment that may result in allergen inclusion. Firms should be encouraged to properly identify all potential allergens and to establish procedures to utilize and store these allergens to avoid potential cross-contaminations. Routinely review ingredient and finished product labeling for declarations of allergens as well as *advisory labeling. * Advisory labeling is a statement such as this product was processed on machinery that was used to process products containing {allergen} or a statement such as may contain {allergen}.