As food allergies are becoming more common, it’s important for the food industry to adapt to the changing needs of customers. Food allergies can be life-threatening, and they’re not something to be taken lightly.

That’s why the food industry is getting ready to make some changes in store signs to better highlight allergy-related information about food. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at these upcoming changes and what they mean for consumers.

What Are the Upcoming Changes?

In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will require food stores to use a new symbol to highlight allergy-related information about food.

This is called the “food allergen label” and it will help consumers easily identify which foods may contain allergens. The FDA has designed the symbol to be easily recognizable, with a bold black font and a bright yellow background. The symbol will be required on all packaged food items.

In addition to the new symbol, the FDA is also requiring food stores to provide allergy-related information about their food on their menus and menu boards.

This will help customers make informed decisions about what they eat, even before they purchase the food.

Why Are These Changes Important?

Food allergies are a serious concern for many people. According to the CDC, food allergies affect approximately 4-6% of children in the United States, and 4% of adults.

For those with food allergies, exposure to even a small amount of the allergen can be life-threatening. In fact, food allergies are the leading cause of anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

By highlighting allergy-related information about food, food stores can help customers with food allergies make informed decisions about what to eat.

This can help prevent life-threatening allergic reactions and make the shopping experience more enjoyable for everyone.

What Should Customers Look for?

When these changes go into effect, customers should look for the new “food allergen label” symbol on packaged food items. This symbol will help customers easily identify which foods may contain allergens.

Customers should also look for allergy-related information on menus and menu boards when eating out.

However, it’s important for customers to remember that the new symbol and allergy-related information are only a guide.

It’s still important to read ingredient labels carefully and to speak with a food store representative or restaurant server if you have any questions or concerns about food allergies.

What Can Food Stores and Restaurants Do?

Food stores and restaurants can take several steps to help customers with food allergies. Here are a few suggestions:.

Train Employees

All employees should be trained on how to handle food allergies, including how to identify allergens in food, how to prevent cross-contact, and what to do if a customer has an allergic reaction.

Customers should also be able to easily speak with a knowledgeable employee about their food allergies.

Label Food Items Clearly

Food stores should label food items clearly and accurately, including a complete ingredient list and any allergen information. It’s also a good idea to separate allergen-free foods from those that may contain allergens to prevent cross-contact.

Offer Allergen-Free Options

Offering allergen-free options can help customers with food allergies feel more comfortable eating out. Food stores and restaurants should also be sure to clearly label allergen-free options and separate them from other foods to prevent cross-contact.

Update Menus and Menu Boards

With the new FDA regulations, food stores and restaurants will be required to provide allergy-related information about their food on their menus and menu boards.

This information should be clear and accurate, and should include any potential allergens.

Conclusion

The upcoming changes in store signs to highlight allergy-related information about food are an important step forward for the food industry.

By providing customers with clear and accurate allergen information, food stores and restaurants can help prevent life-threatening allergic reactions and make the shopping and dining experience more enjoyable for everyone.