From fish to nuts, allergens are present in a lot of foods! When manufacturing your products, the best way to prevent exposing your consumers to allergens is to have an allergen management plan.
An allergen management plan is a set of procedures, practices, and policies your business has in place to control allergens and prevent contamination during production.
In this article, we will discuss the top 8 allergens, precautions you can take to keep your consumers safe, and how to create a proper allergen management plan.
Although many factors contribute to reactions from food, one of the most life threatening reactions to food is an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when someone’s immune system overreacts to a substance, usually one of the top 8 allergens. The top 8 allergens are the most common allergens for humans. They include:
Allergic reactions can be life threatening, which is why it is crucial for food businesses to have a proper allergen management procedure in place.
A simple precaution you can take in order to keep your consumers safe is to label your ingredients clearly. Federal regulation requires that all allergens are listed on your ingredient label. For example, if you have fish in your products, you should specify which kind of fish.When you differentiate whether your product has fish or shellfish, you are preventing your consumer from having to play a guessing game and potentially exposing themselves to an allergen. Also, be sure to specify which of the top 8 allergens are in your product at the end of your ingredient list. For example, if your product contains tree nuts, you will specify “Contains: tree nuts”.
Another precaution to take is implementing an allergen management plan. An allergen management plan is a set of procedures, practices, and policies that aid in controlling allergens within your food business.
The plan identifies allergen risks, allergen challenges and includes documented procedures on how to safely manage allergens in your production process. An effective allergen management plan takes into account each step of your production process from the ingredients used in manufacturing and packaging, to the finished product put on shelves. In order to ensure each component and step in your plan is up to date and relevant, the plan should be reviewed at least once a year. When manufacturing, allergen management should be one of the top priorities, so that you can build a trusting relationship with your consumers and keep them safe.
2. Ensure your guidelines are in line with the standard food safety guidelines in the area you are producing.
3. Communication and proper education to everyone who works in the facility about an allergen management plan is essential because it ensures that everyone is on the same page and knows the correct protocols.
People with food allergies have to be extra cautious of the food they eat and know how it is sourced. This is why brands should be transparent about their ingredients, highlight any allergens that may be present in their product, and have a proper allergen management plan. Allergen management plans limit the risk of allergen exposure and cross contamination, which are hidden risks for people with food allergies. Having a relevant and detailed allergen management plan is crucial to having a successful food business and building trust with your consumer.