US major allergens
The US major food allergens are nine foods that must be named on US labels, from milk, eggs and peanuts to wheat, soy and, since 2023, sesame.
Also called Major food allergens, Big 9 allergens, Big 8 allergens.
The US major food allergens are the nine foods that US law says must be clearly named on packaged food. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 set the first eight. The FASTER Act added sesame, which has had to be labeled since January 1, 2023. Other foods can cause allergies too; these are the ones the law singles out.
The nine are:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish, such as bass, cod or flounder
- Crustacean shellfish, such as shrimp, crab or lobster
- Tree nuts, such as almonds, walnuts or pecans
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Sesame
How to use it
A US label names a major allergen in one of two ways:
- In the ingredients list, in brackets after the ingredient, such as "flour (wheat)" or "whey (milk)".
- In a "Contains" statement right after the ingredients list, such as "Contains: wheat, milk, soy".
For fish, crustacean shellfish and tree nuts, the label must name the kind, such as "cod", "shrimp" or "almonds". Highly refined oils made from an allergen, such as refined peanut or soybean oil, are exempt.
The rules cover foods regulated by the FDA. Meat, poultry and some egg products are regulated by the USDA, and alcoholic drinks by a separate agency, under different labeling rules. Restaurant food served to order is not covered, so ask staff directly.
Common mistakes
- Reading "may contain" or "made in a facility with" as a legal requirement. Those statements are voluntary and not standardized.
- Expecting EU allergens on a US label. The EU 14 allergens also include celery, mustard, lupin, mollusks and sulfites, and cover rye, barley and oats as well as wheat. In the US, those are listed by name in the ingredients but are not called out as major allergens. Sulfites must be declared at 10 parts per million or more.
- Assuming the tree nut lists match. The US and EU name different nuts.
- Treating "Big 8" lists as current. Sesame has been a major allergen since 2023.
If you or someone you cook for has a food allergy, read labels every time you buy, because recipes change, and talk to a doctor or dietitian about what to avoid.
Related terms
- EU 14 allergensThe EU 14 allergens are the foods that EU and UK law says must be emphasized on food labels and declared by restaurants, from gluten to lupin.
- Tree nutsTree nuts include almonds, walnuts, cashews and hazelnuts. The EU and the US define the group differently, so their labels can name different nuts.
- SesameSesame is a seed allergen found in tahini, sesame oil, breads and spice mixes. It is labeled in the EU and has been a US major allergen since 2023.
- Wheat allergyA wheat allergy is an immune reaction to proteins in wheat. It is not celiac disease, and some foods labeled gluten-free can still contain wheat.
- CrustaceansCrustaceans are shellfish with jointed shells, such as shrimp, crab, lobster and crayfish. They are a major allergen in both the EU and the US.
- MollusksMollusks are soft-bodied shellfish such as mussels, clams, oysters, squid and octopus. They are an EU allergen but not a major allergen in the US.