Private Label Brands: Food Allergy FAQ

How do I know if a product contains an ALLERGEN ingredient?

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (effective January 1, 2006) mandates that foods containing milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy must declare the food in plain language on the label.

All Whole Foods Market Private Label products are labeled in accordance with this Act.

What does the statement, "Good Manufacturing Practices used to segregate in a facility that also processes ALLERGEN" mean?

This is to inform the consumer of what allergens are produced in the same facility as the product they are buying. All of our manufacturers use good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to reduce the risk of cross contamination. These GMPs include, but are not limited to, thorough cleaning of machinery, line scheduling to segregate allergen and non-allergen ingredients, and line testing.

Some other products I buy say, "Made on equipment that also processes ALLERGEN." Why is this not on Whole Foods Market Private Label products?

Whole Foods Market Private Label does not gather shared equipment information, because it is the manufacturer's legal right to change equipment used for production (as long as GMPs are used). We do gather shared allergens in a manufacturing facility, and this information is reflected on the label.