Food Allergy Labeling Not Always Accurate

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Survival of the fittest?!!

Kip is an idiot.

FA Specific Manufacturers

A very valid point was bnrought up in twitter conversation re: this article. @cakeandcommerce argued that in the Food Allergy Specific area small companies tended to be much better and definately were much better trusted.

I though it a very valid point and worth forwarding.

Better Data we always help

Interesting Article. It at least raises some interesting points. From our expereince with handling food label data I caan say that we are often much more likely to get data from smaller companies than from larger companies.

I am also aware frmo experience that large companies are often more likely to have the resources to put in to measurement and monitoring or cross sontamination issues than many smaller companies...excluding specialty companies.

However, on the other side of the coin, smaller companies often have smaller product / ingredient inventories and so can monitor the allergy properties faily simply.

Would be goood to get more studies on this. We are presently checking our database to get some relevant stats - such as how many products have potential allergy properties from the ingredients but don't have claims etc... Will post back here if we get them.

Anton Xavier CEO,

http://foodessentials.com

Spin the Wheel, People

This is simple survival of the fittest. I don't know why we coddle these people. They weren't meant to survive in our world. We all take gambles when we wake up in the morning; there's always a chance any one of us could die at any moment. So, why do we hold the hands of those with food allergies. It's time to let them spin the big wheel of life with the rest of us and take a chance. Who's with me?

Unfair to small businesses

This article's denunciation of small companies is not at all justified by such a small study. This is sloppy science and even sloppier journalism. There are many instances of food-safety problems coming from large companies as well as small companies. BTW, how does one differentiate a small company from a big one?

Food color - carmine

This is for interested consumers. I recently learned that companies use cermine as a red/orange coloring derived from beetles. The FDA has ruled that this must be listed on food products starting in 2011. Unfortunately I'm Canadian and the Canadian government sees the allergy risk ( not to mention the gross factor ) as minimal and not worthy of listing. Beware products that originate from Canada. I wrote to Danone asking if carmine was used and received an answer, saying that yes, they do use it in some of their yogurts. Here in Canada it's listed only as "natural color" which is in my mind a ruse to placate consumers. Beware of anything listed as "natural". Might be beetle juice.

"May contain" means don't buy

I have a severe tomato allergy. You'd think it would be easy to avoid tomatoes, but you'd be surprised at the things that have put me in the hospital. An omelet after a juicy tomato wedge was taken off by a helpful waitress -- leaving behind juice and seeds. A chocolate cake made with tomato soup. The usual culprit -- a fast-food hamburger handled by someone with "juicy" gloves -- is something I can at least ask about.

To me, the phrase "may contain" has a simple meaning. It means "Don't buy this." Not all food allergies are the obvious ones -- and if more people would pay attention when I warn them about my allergies, I'd eat out a LOT more.