Undeclared allergens: The deadly cost of misbranding and mislabeling

• Most food reactions stem from just nine major allergens, including eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat.
• Undeclared ingredients are behind a growing number of food alerts and recalls, especially in desserts, processed foods, sauces and snacks.
• Symptoms of an allergic reaction can be life-threatening, including difficulty breathing and swallowing, hives and lip swelling and anaphylaxis.
• U.S. oversight is fragmented and often reactive, with food safety shared between multiple agencies and delayed enforcement.
• Consumers can help protect themselves by reading labels, reporting mislabeled products and advocating for stronger regulations.

A mislabeled product shouldn’t be a medical emergency or a death sentence. But for millions of Americans with food allergies and sensitivities, even a routine trip to the grocery store – or a bite from a trusted food brand – can become a life-threatening gamble.

Despite decades of food safety laws, undeclared allergens continue to slip into packaged foods, restaurant meals, health products and supplements – everything from baked goods and sauces to meats, plant-based snacks and vitamins. When labels fail, lives are at risk. And the problem is more widespread than most people realize.

A silent risk in everyday foods

For the average person scanning ingredients at the grocery store, an item that looks familiar – and previously “safe” to eat – might seem like a no-brainer to toss in the cart. But what if it’s changed? What if it was mislabeled at the factory? Or what if a supplier didn’t disclose an allergenic ingredient?

It happens more often than you might think.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), the vast majority of food allergy incidents stem from just nine culprits: eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat. These must be clearly declared on labels by law. But products are still slipping through the cracks – with undeclared allergens, cross-contamination and misbranding leading frequent recalls.

But it’s more than these ingredients that can trigger dangerous reactions. Some additives and naturally occurring substances can also cause issues for sensitive individuals, even though they aren’t officially labeled as “allergens.” (Related: Lawmakers want better food labeling of allergens but far more deaths are caused by other ingredients.)

These include:

• Gluten: Found in barley, rye and wheat, it’s not an allergen but can cause dangerous autoimmune reactions in those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
• FD&C Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): A synthetic dye linked to allergic-like reactions in some people, including asthma and skin rashes.
• Lactose: People with lactose intolerance may suffer bloating, cramping and digestive issues.
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG): Often used a flavor enhancer, MSG can trigger symptoms like chest tightness, flushing or headaches in some individuals.
• Sulfites: Sulfur-based preservatives found in dried fruits, pre-cut veggies or wine may provoke allergic reactions or asthma-like symptoms.

FSIS guidelines require that these ingredients, like allergens, be clearly listed on food labels when used. But when mislabeling or omissions occur, it puts vulnerable consumers at risk, sometimes without them ever suspecting the cause.

The undeclared threats

A growing list of companies has recalled products due to mislabeling, undeclared allergens or outright mistakes. The month of June this year saw a disturbing wave of recalls:

• June 27: Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. recalled over 143,000 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna, distributed to wholesale and retail locations nationwide,  for undeclared beef, chicken and pork – key allergen sources.
• June 25: Shang Hao Jia Inc. recalled Danshi Spicy Shredded Tofu, distributed in California, for undeclared sesame, a major allergen; Kilwins Quality Confections recalled Mocha Truffles, sold at retail stores in  Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, for undeclared pecans, a tree nut; Fortune Foods Ltd. recalled Laoganma Black Bean Chili Sauce sold in major UK and Asian supermarkets, independent grocers and online retailers, for undeclared peanuts.
• June 20: Lipari Foods of Warren, Michigan, recalled JLM Dark Chocolate Nonparells, distributed in retail stores nationwide, for undeclared milk; Sabores Fit Bakery of Kissimmee, Florida, recalled multiple Mousse Desserts for undeclared eggs, soy, tree nuts and wheat – a dangerous allergen cocktail.
• June 13: Meijer recalled Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds, sold at its stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, for undeclared dark chocolate-covered cashews, a tree nut hazard.
• June 12: Vita Warehouse Corp. pulled Berkley Jensen, VitaGlobe and Welby Vitamin B12 Energy Support Gummies, distributed at ALDI and BJ’s retail stores nationwide, for undeclared peanuts – yes, even vitamins aren’t safe.
• June 4: Firehook of Virginia recalled Classic Sea Salt Crackers, distributed at retail stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia, for undeclared sesame.
• June 3: Springville Meat & Cold Storage Co. recalled over 15,000 pounds of beef jerky and beef snack stick products, shipped to retail locations nationwide, for undeclared anchovies, a known fish allergen.
• June 2: Croquetas La Mary LLC issued a public health alert for its frozen ham croquettes “A Taste of Cuba Croquettas de Jamon,” shipped to distributor locations in Florida, for undeclared sesame and soy.

That’s 11 recalls in a single month – dozens of mislabeled products, hundreds of thousands of recalled units and countless unsuspecting consumers at risk.

Symptoms you can’t afford to miss

According to Brighteon.AI‘s Enoch, for people with food allergies and sensitivities, exposure to even trace amounts of a hidden allergen can trigger an anaphylactic reaction – a fast-moving, potentially fatal condition. Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal cramps, diarrhea or vomiting
• Swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue
• Tingling or itching in the mouth
• Hives or skin rash
• Dizziness or fainting
• Loss of consciousness

These symptoms often begin within minutes to hours after exposure. If they occur, stop eating the food immediately and seek emergency medical care. People with known allergies should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) at all times.

Food should nourish, not endanger. Yet every month, consumers are left vulnerable to preventable harm because of a missing ingredient in a label. People deserve better oversight, honest labeling and a system that treats allergen exposure like the life-or-death issue it truly is.

Allergy warnings on food labels may not tell all. Watch this video.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Food allergies: Symptoms, allergens, testing and nutrition tips.

Seven great food substitutions for common food allergens.

Some people who think they have food allergies may actually have a food intolerance.

Sources include:

FSIS.USDA.gov 1

FSIS.USDA.gov 2

FDA.gov 1

FDA.gov 2

DailyMail.co.uk 1

DailyMail.co.uk 2

FDA.gov 3

FDA.gov 4

FDA.gov 5

FDA.gov 6

FSIS.UDSA.gov 3

FSIS.USDA.gov 4

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