Sunday, February 12, 2012

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Elizabeth U asks

Q: Does imported food have to comply with the Federal labeling law requiring listing major allegens?

Products that are made in another country but distributed in the US by a US company - will allergens show on their label, and/or chance of cross contamination?  I understand these are required by the US Law, but not sure how extensive its application is.

 

Also, what about  if the entire company is foreign and there is no US Distributor?

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Answers (3)
4/30/08 1:33pm

The law you are referring to is the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) from the FDA. Yes, it does apply to imported foods.

 

According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, "all packaged foods (except meat, poultry, and certain egg products) sold in the United States, whether they are manufactured in the United States or manufactured abroad and imported into the United States" are covered by the law and, therefore, must be labeled.

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5/20/08 4:29pm

. . . but aren't always labeled with such detail (to continue from the above response) so if it doesn't tell you don't buy/eat it.

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5/20/08 4:30pm

ps.  You can check the label for an email or web address.  Or, snail mail address.

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