Question About Product Labeling...

[Monklady123]

So, having suddenly become pretty good at reading labels I've noticed something. On my peanut butter -- which says on the front label in big letters "PEANUT BUTTER" -- it says (after the list of ingredients, which is "peanuts, water, salt") "contains: peanuts." Um... you think? Peanut butter contains peanuts? who would have thought? -- Or, my milk -- which says on the front label in big letters "FAT-FREE MILK" -- sure enough, the ingredients say "contains: milk". lol..

Okay, so is this a law that companies have to include allergens? Or are the peanut butter and milk companies just being really over-zealous due to our litigious society?

[kareng]

I think it's part of the allergen listing law. A bit of overkill. But people think white bread doesn't contain wheat....

[psawyer]

In the US, the top eight allergens must be clearly disclosed. They can be in the ingredients list, or in a "Contains" statement following the list. Either one meets the legal requirement, but many companies do both.

The eight allergens under the federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) are: wheat, soy, milk, peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, fish, and crustacean shellfish.

FALCPA requires that in the case of tree nuts, the specific type of nut must be declared (e.g., almonds, pecans, or walnuts). The species must be declared for fish (e.g., bass, flounder, or cod) and Crustacean shellfish (crab, lobster, or shrimp).

[Monklady123]

Thanks Peter. Very interesting. Still seems a bit funny to me though, to tell people that something called "peanut butter" actually contains "peanuts". Or that "milk" contains "milk".

[Skylark]

Thanks Peter. Very interesting. Still seems a bit funny to me though, to tell people that something called "peanut butter" actually contains "peanuts". Or that "milk" contains "milk".

I like "Caution: Hot beverages are hot!" on coffee cups. I know about the McDonald's suit and all, but it does seem like we have abandoned common sense.