FALCPA (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act)
The 2004 federal law requiring clear labeling of major food allergens on packaged foods.
What It Means
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), enacted in 2004 and effective January 1, 2006, is the primary federal law governing food allergen labeling in the United States. FALCPA amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that food labels clearly identify the presence of any of the major food allergens. Originally, FALCPA covered eight allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2021 added sesame as the ninth major allergen, effective January 1, 2023. Under FALCPA, allergens must be declared in one of two ways: by using the common name of the allergen in the ingredient list (for example, "casein (milk)"), or by including a "Contains" statement immediately after or adjacent to the ingredient list. FALCPA applies to all packaged foods regulated by the FDA, which includes most food products except meat, poultry, and certain egg products (which are regulated by the USDA). FALCPA has significantly improved food safety for the estimated 32 million Americans with food allergies by making it easier to identify allergens in packaged foods. Violations of FALCPA requirements can result in product recalls, FDA warning letters, and legal action. Undeclared allergens remain the number-one cause of food recalls in the United States.
Related Terms
Allergen Labeling
FDA requirements for disclosing the presence of major food allergens on product labels.
Undeclared Allergen
A major food allergen present in a product but not listed on the label, the leading cause of food recalls in the U.S.
Misbranding
When a food product's label is false, misleading, or fails to include required information.
FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act)
The landmark 2011 law that shifted FDA food regulation from reacting to contamination to preventing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does FALCPA (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act) mean?
The 2004 federal law requiring clear labeling of major food allergens on packaged foods.
Why is FALCPA (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act) important for food safety?
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), enacted in 2004 and effective January 1, 2006, is the primary federal law governing food allergen labeling in the United States. FALCPA amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that food labels clearly identify the p...