While you could eat ‘may contain’ products safely without realising the warning, avoid doing so . These products can contain harmful allergens and can be life-threatening.
Should I eat something that says may contain peanuts?
“ The ‘may contain’ statements are not required under FALCPA . It’s completely voluntary,” Emily says. Many people rely on these labels to avoid reactions, and the lack of distinct labeling can be very challenging for those who are food allergic.
What does may contain traces mean?
How are we to interpret the disclaimer “May contain traces of . . .”? “May contain” means the allergen is stored or processed close to the food product , and/or added to other food lines, but not purposely included in the product.
Is may contain a legal requirement?
There is no specific legal requirement to label food with ‘may contain’. However, food must be safe to eat and information to help people with allergies make safe choices, and manage their condition effectively, must be provided. Manufacturers may also choose to mark products as ‘Not suitable for’.
Can people with nut allergies eat may contain?
‘May contain traces of nuts ‘
The chance of significant allergic reaction through contamination during processing is unlikely. However, for children with severe or anaphylactic reactions to nuts, these products should be used with caution.
How serious is may contain?
You should always take this label seriously. You might have come into contact with a product which ‘may contain’ an allergen without suffering an allergic reaction. But you could buy the same product again and have an allergic reaction. So it is best to avoid these products altogether.
Can I eat Nutella if I’m allergic to nuts?
Made from date syrup, chocolate, vanilla bean ghee, coffee oil, and guaraná seed powder, Chocti Ghee Spread , a popular Nutella substitute, is nut-free but made on a production line that may also handle peanuts and tree nuts. It also contains dairy so not suitable for many allergy sufferers.
Why do ingredients say may contain nuts?
Also look out for voluntary “may contain” labels, such as “may contain traces of peanut”. Manufacturers sometimes put this label on their products to warn consumers that they may have become accidentally contaminated with another food product during the production process .
Why do things say may contain milk?
What about products that say “May contain traces of milk products” or “Processed in a facility that manufactures milk products”, are they suitable for vegans? This simply means that milk is not an added ingredient , but a very small amount may have come in contact with the food.
What nuts are the worst for allergies?
A nut allergy develops when the body’s immune system becomes oversensitive to a particular protein in a nut. Nuts that are the worst for allergies include peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts and pine nuts .
Can Vegans eat may contain milk?
Can vegans eat something that “may contain” milk or other animal products? ... If a food product doesn’t have milk in the ingredients, but is labeled as “may contain milk” or “may contain traces of milk”, it’s totally suitable for vegans .
Is may contain wheat safe?
Avoid products that are made from naturally gluten-free grains (quinoa, rice, sorghum, etc.) not labeled “gluten-free” but labeled “may contain” or “made on shared equipment with” wheat/gluten. This means the product could contain more than 20 ppm of gluten.
What does may contain nuts mean UK?
For example “may contain traces of nuts” or “ may contain seeds ”. This means that even though an ingredient has not been deliberately included in the food the manufacturer cannot be sure that the product doesn’t accidentally contain small amounts of them.
Why does food say may contain?
Some manufacturers voluntarily include a separate advisory statement, such as “may contain” or “produced in a facility,” on their labels when there is a chance that a food allergen could be present . A manufacturer might use the same equipment to make different products.
What nuts should be declared under regulations?
tree nuts – including almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts , brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts. peanuts. sesame seeds. soybeans.
Is the FSA responsible for food Labelling?
It works with local authorities to enforce food safety regulations and its staff work in meat plants to check the standards are being met. The FSA also has responsibility for labelling policy in Wales and Northern Ireland , and for nutrition policy in Northern Ireland.
