Allergen Labeling

The increased prevalence of food allergies in school children, the rapid onset of symptoms and potentially fatal nature of anaphylaxis, combined with the high risk of accidental exposure warrants significant action.

I also have to vigilantly read food labels. Reading food labels is not always as easy as it seems. Sesame seeds are not considered by the Food and Drug Administration as a major allergen, so I have to read through all the ingredients. Ingredient lists today are long, printed in small type, and filled with words Merriam-Webster probably has never heard of. So I have to pay close attention and make sure “sesame” does not get overlooked. This has transformed me into becoming a more detail-oriented person because if I miss one ingredient, it could be a life-threatening mistake.

Consumers could spend as much as $10 more per product if proposed label changes go through. The FDA is proposing new food labels by changing its look, and what information is places on the label. Improving food labels would not improve the public’s health because it is (1)costly, (2)will take lots of time and, (3)it is unnecessary. I believe that the new labels won’t help public health because people are not educated enough to know how to read them. More money should be spent on educating people on the labels rather than changing them. If the new labels are made the people who knew how to read them before will now have to learn how to read the new labels. With the new labels means more money spent on things that is unneeded.

Though every major scientific regulatory oversight body in the world has concluded that GMO foods are harmless, the public remains deeply suspicious, fearing that such food may cause cancer or allergies. Caitlin Shetterly, one of the worried public, wrote an article in Elle magazine, claiming that genetically modified foods could cause allergic reactions, and that consumers face unknown and unacceptable risks from new, yet-to-be-identified allergens that our government’s monitoring program,

Many consumers are often not aware that a large number of companies do not label everything they put

This is why I believe trigger warnings should be used. Do you tell someone with a food allergy to ‘just deal’ with an exposure to the allergen? Do you say they’re overreacting when they want food to be labeled so they can avoid what they’re allergic to? Do you say that they should just avoid all public food if they’re going to complain about being allergic to some of

Every year approximately thirty thousand individuals go to the emergency room for peanut allergies and one hundred and fifty individuals die yearly because of allergic reactions to peanuts and tree nuts (Food Act). Allergies are a big concern because they can kill people. Food producers and companies make their packages with labels on the back showing what is in them. Parts that are shown are nutrition facts, amounts per serving, and ingredients. At the bottom in small letters it may contain allergy information or where it was packaged. It is not the first thing someone sees when looking at a bag of sunflower seeds with a tree nut allergy because sunflower seeds are categorized as a seed not a tree nut. The thing people don’t realize is that

There are varied arguments that favor or are against compulsory labeling of genetically engineered food products. Those who argue for the labeling of such products argue that consumers have a right to know what is contained in their food, particularly food products for which there have been health and environmental concerns (Caswell 26). Compulsory labeling will permit consumers to identify and avoid those food products that may cause them problems. On the contrary, those who argue against mandatory labeling point out that

However, the one area of healthy living promotion is lacking and that is food information. The United States must change their source of food information; the food label must be changed. Currently the food label is inaccurate, loose in regulations, and hard to read. By changing the food label to an easier, clearer, and more accessible source of information, then the American public will have easier access to information. Furthermore, the American public will have an easier time choosing healthier options towards food.

The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act contains a labeling law for any positive and negative “material” changes to the nutrition of food. For example, trans fats are labeled because they are related to cardiovascular disease (Murphy). Products containing peanuts and other allergens are required to be labeled due to the potential adverse health effects if eaten by individuals with nut or other allergies. In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration addressed the labeling of GMOs in a policy statement amended to the act. The policy states that foods developed by genetic

Making food choices is a major component in the health and well being of our bodies just a few

Food, food is something that we as human beings live off of. But not everybody is as fortunate as others, nowadays food allergies occur in 1 out of every 13 children. This indicates fifteen plus million people have food allergies. This epidemic poses a threat to many citizens that live with food allergies because of the incorrect labeling, distribution and safety of food products. The research provided is to show one, what food allergies are and how they affect daily life of those who live with food allergies. Food allergies are extremely important and educating people about food allergies will hopefully quick start the progress to find a cure.

Ever felt powerless at the entrance of a grocery store when you realize you don't know what you can eat. After several bouts of "food Russian Roulette" you or a family member have been diagnosed with food allergies. You find food you previously purchased on a regular basis for years is now making you or your family member ill and you feel worse when it is your child. You are now becoming an avid somewhat obsessive label reader. Processed and canned foods are contaminated with allergens. The fruit and vegetables are laced with soy wax and so now the conundrum.

Soy is one of the eight most common food allergies in the United States of America. A student at the University of Utah wrote that a projected 70% of all foods in the United States contain at least one genetically modified ingredient—usually a product of soy plants. Also, since the introduction of genetically modified soy, soy-related allergies has rose to 50%. This is an immense concern for people who have a soy allergy, mainly because the United States of America doesn’t require labeling for genetically modified organisms. These concerns are raising the risk of having genetically modified organisms in consumer

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the on the issue of food allergies in terms of the number of people having allergies, various emergency situations,allergy symptoms, allergy treatment and prevention. Thus, this paper