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Allergy advice on food labels

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I've noticed that food labels now all have allergens listed in bold on the ingredients list which makes it a lot easier to spot them at a glance. However, something that still annoys me (even though I don't have any food intolerances myself) is how manufacturers can still get away with stating that their products *may* still contain certain allergens, or that the food has been manufactured in a factory where other allergens are also present.

 

I was under the impression that there are strict controls over the manufacturing process and even the slightest deviation from product shape, size, formula etc can lead to a whole batch being pulled. How come manufacturers can't be sure that there aren't any allergens in the product? Can someone with experience in the industry shed any light?

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I think it's about what else is made on the same production lines in the manufacturing building at other points in time.

 

Essentially there are not enough Nut-Free sites in my opinion. It is a worry almost every single meal time here in the UK and an impossibility to go over seas. Even if you have language skills an all-inclusive buffet with airborne allergens is a no go zone when anyone can use the tongs from one dish and then touch other food already on that plate to contaminate the main dish again.

 

I wish this stuff was taught in schools and workplaces. It can and does kill :(

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How come manufacturers can't be sure that there aren't any allergens in the product?

 

because there are so many different allergens that manufacturers can't/won't go to the expense of operating a completely separate production line for every possible occurrence.

 

Ultimately it's down to the individual to manage their needs, the manufacturer makes the bulk product to sell to the largest proportion of society, if you need something specialised you pay alot more and go to a specialist supplier.

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Interesting responses - thank you. Surely though the production lines are contained in such a way to avoid contamination from dirt, bacteria etc - why can't the same be done for allergens (on one production line within a bigger factory)?

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Interesting responses - thank you. Surely though the production lines are contained in such a way to avoid contamination from dirt, bacteria etc - why can't the same be done for allergens (on one production line within a bigger factory)?

 

for a factory with multiple production lines the chances of cross contamination are very small and making allergen containing and non-allergen containing products on the same line usually involves a deep clean between production runs but you can't realistically reduce the risk to zero.

 

for things like nut allergies where even a small expose could be quite serious most manufacturers will put a warning on all their products more for liability management rather than there being a realistic risk of contamination.

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for a factory with multiple production lines the chances of cross contamination are very small and making allergen containing and non-allergen containing products on the same line usually involves a deep clean between production runs but you can't realistically reduce the risk to zero.

 

for things like nut allergies where even a small expose could be quite serious most manufacturers will put a warning on all their products more for liability management rather than there being a realistic risk of contamination.

 

I thought as much. Thank you for your reply - interesting stuff!

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For someone like me even a trace of gluten will cause my antibodies to attack my brain . I’m grateful the manufacturers put may contain so I know what to avoid .

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For someone like me even a trace of gluten will cause my antibodies to attack my brain . I’m grateful the manufacturers put may contain so I know what to avoid .

 

Do you find that it restricts you from choosing an awful lot of products?

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