The EU's new labelling requirements for allergens will take full effect on 25 Nov/05 under EU Directive (2003/89/EC). The directive requires food makers to provide a comprehensive list of ingredients of potential food allergens on a product's label. An estimated 4% of adults & 8% of children in the EU suffer from food allergies, according to the EU Federation of Allergy & Airways Diseases Patients' Associations. The new labelling rules would require listings of cereals containing gluten, fish, crustaceans, egg, peanut, soy, milk & dairy products including lactose, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seed, & sulphites. In the US the Food Allergen & Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) bill will require tighter labeling requirements for all food makers operating in the US market from 1 Jan/06.
