Audit of manufactured products: Use of allergen advisory labels and identification of labeling ambiguities
Audit of manufactured products: Use of allergen advisory labels and identification of labeling ambiguities
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DOI：
10.1016/j.jaci.2009.05.032
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发表时间：
2009-08-01
影响因子：
14.2
通讯作者：
Sicherer, Scott H.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Pieretti, Mariah M.;Chung, Danna;Sicherer, Scott H.
背景：食品过敏标签和消费者保护法于2006年1月1日生效，要求以通俗易懂的英语披露8种主要过敏原，并在成分声明中将其作为成分来源。它不规范咨询标签。目的：我们试图确定在商业可获得的产品中自愿咨询标签的使用频率和语言，并找出影响过敏消费者的标签模糊之处。方法：受过培训的调查员对20,241种独特的制造食品(最初评估为49,604种产品)进行了使用咨询标签的超市调查。对744种独特产品的第二次详细调查评估了额外的标签实践。结果：总体而言，在接受调查的20,241种产品中，17%的产品包含建议标签。巧克力糖果、饼干和烘焙混合物是24种中使用频率最高的3类(>；=40%)。明确地说，警告包括“可能含有”(38%)、“共享设备”(33%)和“工厂内”(29%)。这项调查揭示了25种不同类型的咨询术语。非特定的术语，如“天然香料”和“香料”，出现在65%的产品上，其中83%的产品与特定成分无关。其他含糊不清的问题包括大豆来源不明(卵磷脂与蛋白质)，明胶和卵磷脂的来源未披露，以及同一过敏原的“含有”和“可能含有”的同时披露等。结论：许多产品都有建议性标签和含糊不清之处，这给患有食物过敏的消费者带来了挑战。额外的过敏原标签规定可以提高食物过敏患者的安全性和生活质量。(《过敏与免疫杂志》2009；124：337-41。)
Background: The Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act became effective January 1, 2006, and mandates disclosure of the 8 major allergens in plain English and as a source of ingredients in the ingredient statement. It does not regulate advisory labels.Objective: We sought to determine the frequency and language used in voluntary advisory labels among commercially available products and to identify labeling ambiguities affecting consumers with allergy.Methods: Trained surveyors performed a supermarket survey of 20,241 unique manufactured food products (from an original assessment of 49,604 products) for use of advisory labels. A second detailed survey of 744 unique products evaluated additional labeling practices.Results: Overall, 17% of 20,241 products surveyed contain advisory labels. Chocolate candy, cookies, and baking mixes were the 3 categories of 24 with the greatest frequency (>= 40%). Categorically, advisory warnings included "may contain" (38%), "shared equipment" (33%), and "within plant" (29%). The subsurvey disclosed 25 different types of advisory terminology. Nonspecific terms, such as "natural flavors" and "spices," were found on 65% of products and were not linked to a specific ingredient for 83% of them. Additional ambiguities included unclear sources of soy (lecithin vs protein), nondisclosure of sources of gelatin and lecithin, and simultaneous disclosure of "contains" and "may contain" for the same allergen, among others.Conclusion: Numerous products have advisory labeling and ambiguities that present challenges to consumers with food allergy. Additional allergen labeling regulation could improve safety and quality of life for individuals with food allergy. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;124:337-41.)