New 2006 Labeling

[grantschoep]

My understanding of the new 2006 labeling, the one requring companies to list the major allergens in their food had to be started by Jan 1st, 2006.

If that is true(is it?) I am really surprised how many labels I find in the store today that still don't have that. Is it mearly that all labels printed out for things after Jan 1st have this rule? I'm still pretty surprised that many do not. Campells soups, I havent' seen it on yet. Things I know contain dairy, wheat and soy.

Hey, on that thought, how does the lableing rule apply to things that DO NOT have any of the major allergens, meaning does it say they have to do

allergens: none

I'd love that, cause then I know I am not looking at an "old" label. Ya know what I mean?

[Guest schmenge]

I beleive that the law states that all foods manufactured January 1, 2006 and beyond must clearly indentify if any of the 8 allergens are present. So depending upon the shelf life of a product it could be days to months before you see all products with the new label.

[tarnalberry]

and I believe companies are allowed to "use up" their "old" labels as well.

[Kailynsmom]

THis is probably a stupid question, but what are the eight allergens they're required to list? Does it mean that they can't hide gluten in msf or artifical flavors, etc?

[celiac3270]

This only applies to wheat (for celiacs). Rye, barley, and oats are not included in the eight common allergens. The eight are: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnut, cashew, etc.), fish, shellfish, soy, adn wheat. It just helps us because it finds the hidden wheat.

[Rikki Tikki]

celiac3270:

Does that mean we only now have to look for things that have oats, barley and Rye? Will they be under any other names?

Thanks

[celiac3270]

It means that wheat must be explicitly listed as a common allergen when these new labels are printed (keep in mind that companies can still use up old labels and products manufactured before Jan 1, 2006 will certainly not have the warnings).

Rye, barley, and oats are not on the list of eight, so we must continue to look for them as we do now--no changes to those ingredients. It will help us, though, because we will be able to find hidden gluten easier (eliminating gluten-containing products easier) since it's more likely that you have wheat in the natural flavors than rye or oats.

[Guest BERNESES]

I'm really psyched this is going to happen. Finally! I just wonder how we can get them to do it for cosmetics. I looked at 10 lipsticks today and 9 out of 10 didn't even list the ingredients, never mind allergens. I know it's not as major as food as only one gender uses lipstick (well- in most cases, but not all) but it would help. At least we're moving forward on the food labels.

[teebs in WV]

Last night my local 11 o'clock news ran a story on the new labeling laws, although I think that the story was an AP news piece, and not really local. Anyway, the focus of the piece was on food allergies, and of course mentioned nothing about other food related disorders. I know that I have seen posts before on here referring to the future requirements for gluten labeling. Can someone please provide an update on that? I cannot wait for that day! I don't feel that the 2006 changes really help very much for those with gluten intolerance, but I guess it is at least a step in the right direction.

Another thing - does anyone know the statistics on how many people in the US have food allergies? I am curious if that many more people have food allergies compared to those with celiac disease.

Tracy

[VydorScope]

Last night my local 11 o'clock news ran a story on the new labeling laws, although I think that the story was an AP news piece, and not really local. Anyway, the focus of the piece was on food allergies, and of course mentioned nothing about other food related disorders. I know that I have seen posts before on here referring to the future requirements for gluten labeling. Can someone please provide an update on that? I cannot wait for that day! I don't feel that the 2006 changes really help very much for those with gluten intolerance, but I guess it is at least a step in the right direction.

Another thing - does anyone know the statistics on how many people in the US have food allergies? I am curious if that many more people have food allergies compared to those with celiac disease.

Tracy

From Open Original Shared Link

Scientists estimate that approximately 11 million Americans suffer from true food allergies. At the present time, there is no cure for food allergy. Avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction.

Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, they are not as common as the following eight foods which account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions:

Milk

Egg

Peanut

Tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.)

Fish

Shellfish

Soy

Wheat

[chrissy]

how likely would it be for rye, oats, or barley to be a "hidden" ingredient? are there any other names for these other grains, besides malt?

christine

[Rikki Tikki]

What about flavorings? I think they use other grains besides wheat for things like that.

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

Food companies are still hiding things in their products.

Who would think they would put wheat and soy in coffee. Today I called Sarah Lee who owns CHASE & SANBORN coffee to find out only when I asked what was in the coffee to find out it has SOY protein.

From now on it's fresh coffee beans I ground...

For some of us Celiac's with thyroid problems SOY is poison like wheat is for others here. I really got up set. The only thing we can do is call every company and ask. We also need to all become more pro-active in our fight to get the word out about celiac disease and food allergies and let these big companies knw we aren't going to stand back and take it.