For people with food allergies, ingredient labels are like a book that's missing a few chapters — you're not getting the whole story. Included on many packages are vague words like "spices," "seasonings," and the ever-popular (and sometimes creepy) "added color."
If you happen not to be one of the 12 million Americans with a food allergy, don't think this issue doesn't matter. With one in 25 people affected, chances are someone you care about deals with this problem on a daily basis.
Since 2006, food manufacturers have been required by the Food and Drug Administration to tell you if a product contains milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or soybeans. These account for approximately 90 per cent of all food allergies.
If you're allergic to something not in that group, deciphering labels is more challenging.
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