Food allergen recalls have surged over the past five years, becoming one of the most common causes of food product recalls in North America. In 2023 alone, the FDA and USDA recalled hundreds of food products due to undeclared allergens—mistakes that can cost companies millions and put lives at risk.

Why Are Allergen Recalls Increasing?
Several factors are contributing to the rise:

• More complex supply chains
• Increased allergen sensitivity in the population
• Expanded allergen labeling requirements, including the recent addition of sesame as the 9th major allergen under U.S. law
• Inadequate label review or change control procedures

What Are the Regulatory Requirements?
In the U.S., the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) require accurate declaration of the top 9 allergens:

1. Milk
2. Eggs
3. Fish
4. Crustacean shellfish
5. Tree nuts
6. Peanuts
7. Wheat
8. Soybeans
9. Sesame (as of January 1, 2023)

Allergens must be declared in plain language and must reflect actual ingredients and potential cross-contact risks.

How to Prevent Allergen Labeling Errors
1.Validate your ingredient suppliers

• Confirm allergen content at the source and verify it with COAs and specifications.

2.Set up robust change control

• Ensure that any changes to ingredients, packaging, or suppliers trigger a label review process.

3.Audit your label approval workflow

• Every product label should be reviewed by QA before printing or release.

4.Segregate allergenic ingredients

• Use color-coded containers, designated storage, and cleaning protocols.

5.Work with an expert labeling support team

• Companies like Go HACCP offer professional support in designing and reviewing food labels to meet allergen declaration requirements and stay compliant with the latest FDA and FSIS guidelines.

Enforcement and Recalls
Incorrect allergen labeling can trigger:

• Class I recalls (immediate danger to public health)
• FDA warning letters
• Lawsuits and reputational damage

To monitor recent recalls and allergen-related enforcement, visit:

• FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts
• FSIS Recall Case Archive (USDA)

Final Thoughts
Labeling errors are preventable with the right controls, training, and expert support. As regulatory scrutiny increases and consumer expectations rise, food manufacturers must take allergen management seriously—not only to protect the brand but also the lives of their customers.