FALCPA Regulation

FALCPA - Is the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004. FALCPA addresses the labeling of all packaged foods regulated by the FDA. In Addition labeling having to do with meat products, poultry products, and egg products are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA.)

• Major food allergen is an ingredient that is one of the following eight foods or food groups or an ingredient that contains protein derived from one of them:

milk	crustacean shellfish
fish	egg
tree nuts	wheat
peanuts	soybeans

Although more than 160 foods have been identified to cause food allergies in sensitive individuals, the "major food allergens" account for 90 percent of all food allergies.

Allergens other than the major food allergens are not subject to FALCPA labeling requirements

• Tree nuts, Crustacean shellfish and fish must be declared specifically.
  For Tree Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.
  For fish: bass, flounder, cod, etc.
  For Crustacean shellfish: crab, lobster, shrimp, etc.
• Wheat, refers to any species in the genus Triticum: wheat, durum wheat, club wheat, spelt, semolina, Einkorn , emmer, kamut and triticale.
• FALCPA requires food manufacturers to label food products that are made with an ingredient that is a major food allergen in one of the following two ways:

Be sure to consult the guide provided on the FDA site for specific information, requirements, and regulations concerning your product.