Which act mandates labeling of allergens?

• A. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004
• B. Food Safety Modernization Act
• C. Nutrition Labeling and Education Act
• D. Pure Food and Drug Act

Answer: (A)

Allergen labeling is required by a federal law that specifically addresses declaring the presence of major food allergens on packaged foods. This act mandates that foods regulated by the FDA clearly identify the eight major allergens—milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanut, wheat, and soy—in the ingredient list or with a separate statement such as a “contains” declaration. The aim is to protect those with severe allergies by making allergen information easy to find and understand.

In contrast, the Food Safety Modernization Act focuses on preventing contamination and improving overall food safety throughout the supply chain, rather than the specific format and timing of allergen disclosures. The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act governs nutrition labeling and daily values on the nutrition facts panel, not allergen labeling. The Pure Food and Drug Act is an early foundational law about adulteration and misbranding, not the modern framework for allergen declarations.