Exploring Food Allergen Manufacturing Risk & Failure

Undeclared allergens in packaged food can cause severe, life-threatening reactions. Related food recall events are on the rise and represent a significant risk for consumers and manufacturers alike. In an article titled "Food Allergens Present Complex Risks," published in Sedgwick Recall Index 2024 Edition 2, Exponent's Rachel Ward and Taryn Horr explore food allergen issues in manufacturing, labeling, and supply chain good manufacturing practices (GMPs).

The article emphasizes the prevalence of undeclared allergens in the marketplace, noting that between September 2009 and September 2022, approximately 40% of serious health risk notifications to the Food and Drug Administration involved undeclared allergens. The authors also discuss the challenges food producers face in preventing the unintended presence of allergens through cross contact or accidental inclusion, including frequent product changeovers, longer and more diverse supply chains, and the complex structure of the food sector in general.

The article cites efforts by the World Health Organization and the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization to harmonize allergen risk communication, while noting that the Codex Committee on Food Labeling is revising its standards to include provisions relevant to allergen labeling. The authors support a call to action for industry surrounding the implementation of systematic fail-safe approaches and better training and technology to help prevent future allergen declaration failures.