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LABEL LITERACY

Why Relying Only on the Allergen List Is Not Enough

February 2, 2026 · 4 min read

Flip a package over. At the bottom, in bold, you see: CONTAINS: MILK, SOY. You feel safe because your allergen isn't listed. But this "Contains" statement is only legally required to list the "Major" allergens defined by that country's law (e.g., the Top 9 in the US).

The "Minor" Allergen Problem

If you are allergic to corn, mustard, celery, garlic, or peas, the "Contains" statement is useless to you. Manufacturers are NOT required to bold these ingredients. You have to hunt for them in the fine print.

Different Countries, Different Lists

In Europe, Celery and Mustard must be declared. In the US, they don't. If you buy imported food, the "Contains" statement follows the law of origin, not necessarily your safety needs.

The "Spices" Loophole

US law allows "Spices" to be listed as a generic term. For someone with a garlic or onion allergy, this is a minefield. You literally cannot know if the product is safe without calling the manufacturer.

Pea Protein: This is a rapidly rising allergen often hidden in "Plant-Based Protein" blends without being bolded.

Scan Beyond the Top 9

AllergenFinder doesn't care about the "Top 9." It cares about your allergens. You can configure it to scan ingredients for corn, garlic, citric acid, or any specific intolerance you have, giving you safety that legal labels ignore.

Setup Custom Allergens