What should I do if I have a reaction to a product that should not have caused a reaction?
- Do not discard the product as it may be needed for analysis. Wrap up the product and secure it in a location where it won’t be accidentally eaten again. If it is perishable, store it in the freezer.
- Have available any identifying product code information.
- Report the reaction to the manufacturer. Keep a record of the date and company contact for future reference.
- Report the reaction to the appropriate government agency.
- Report the reaction to your local Alliance membership organization (click here for a list of links).
- Discuss the reaction with your doctor.
How can I tell what a company’s policy is regarding allergens? Contact the manufacturer and ask about their food allergy labeling policy. May contain is appearing on many labels. Some food products now include this message but the ingredients haven’t changed. Should I ignore this type of allergy information? The use of “may contain” or “allergy information” statements on product labels is often not regulated by the government. Companies use these messages on a voluntary basis. As a result, guidelines for the use of these allergy statements vary from one company to another. Some of these foods represent a genuine and legitimate risk, while others may pose very minimal risk. It is therefore advisable to avoid a food product if it has a warning about a food to which you are allergic. For More Information
Many of the Alliance members have information on their websites about labeling that is specific to their countries. To view this information, click the links below.