美国的食物过敏原标签管理走向

Trend of food allergen labeling in the United States of America

食物过敏是一种至今除了严防接触外尚无有效预防方法的免疫症状。在美国,食物过敏的敏感人群达总人口的4%。美国的食物过敏症90%以上由花生、坚果类、鱼类、甲壳类、乳类、小麦、大豆和蛋类引起。这八种过敏原合称“八大类”,是食品过敏原标记的重点。在过去10年内,美国因过敏原未标明造成的食品召回事件节节上升。本文回顾了美国FDA对食品过敏原标识管理所作的努力和美国食品过敏原标识的现状,简单介绍了去年通过的食品过敏原标签和消费者保护法,以及该法对食品酶制剂标签可能产生的影响。

Food allergies are abnormal responses of the immune system that can be prevented only by strict avoidance of the allergen. Approximately. 4% of the US population suffer from food allergy. Eight foods, the so-called “Big Eight”, account for more than 90% of all food allergies. They are peanuts, soybean, milk, eggs, fish, crustacea, tree nuts, and wheat, and are the focus of food allergen labeling. During the last decade, food recalls in the United States based on undeclared allergens in food increased. This article reviews the US FDA＇s efforts to regulate food allergen labeling, the current situation of allergen labeling, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 （FALCPA）, and the possible influence of the act on the labeling of enzyme products used in the food industries.