Which allergens do I have to declare on the label, and how?

The FDA recognizes nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame, which the FASTER Act added effective January 1, 2023. For tree nuts, fish and crustacean shellfish, you must name the specific type, such as almond, cod or shrimp.

The label declares the allergen source in one of two ways: in parentheses after the ingredient, such as "lecithin (soy)", or in a "Contains" statement immediately after or next to the ingredient list, which must list every major allergen in the product. Since its January 2025 guidance, the FDA no longer treats coconut as a tree nut for allergen labeling, although it still appears in the ingredient list. Advisory statements such as "may contain" are voluntary, do not replace good manufacturing practices and must be truthful.