FDA Issues Guidance on Food Allergens, Safety, and Plant-Based Labeling

"On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued four guidance documents to assist industry stakeholders in adhering to regulations concerning food allergens, food safety, and the labeling of plant-based alternatives to animal-derived foods. These documents include: Final Guidance on Food Allergen Labeling: This document provides updated questions and answers regarding food allergen labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, addressing topics such as labeling for tree nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, and considerations for dietary supplements and multi-unit packaging. Final Guidance on Evaluating Non-Major Food Allergens: This guidance outlines the FDA's approach to assessing the public health significance of food allergens beyond the nine major allergens recognized by U.S. law, which are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. Draft Guidance on Sanitation for Low-Moisture Ready-to-Eat Foods: Aimed at manufacturers of low-moisture ready-to-eat human foods, including powdered infant formula, this draft guidance offers recommendations for establishing effective sanitation programs and corrective actions following pathogen contamination events. Draft Guidance on Labeling Plant-Based Alternatives: This document provides best practices for naming and labeling plant-based alternatives to traditional animal-derived foods such as eggs, seafood, poultry, meat, and dairy products (excluding plant-based milk alternatives), to ensure clear communication to consumers. These guidances are part of the FDA's ongoing efforts to enhance food safety and ensure transparent labeling practices. Stakeholders are encouraged to review these documents and provide feedback, particularly on the draft guidances, to inform future regulatory actions"