AAFA Leads Advocacy Efforts on Required Allergen Labeling for Alcohol

The Bronchial asthma and Allergy Basis of America (AAFA) has lengthy supported required alcohol labeling. Now we have despatched a number of letters of assist to the Division of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Commerce Bureau (TTB) and Congress. Final yr, AAFA additionally co-hosted a congressional briefing to assist educate lawmakers in regards to the wants of individuals with meals allergy symptoms.

We lately despatched feedback to the TTB in assist of allergen and ingredient labeling on alcoholic drinks in containers. Learn the complete letter.

The Meals Allergy Labeling and Shopper Safety Act’s (FALCPA) allergen labeling necessities solely cowl merchandise regulated by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA). The principles don’t apply to most alcoholic drinks as a result of they’re regulated by the Division of Treasury. The FDA’s allergen labeling guidelines additionally don’t apply to most meat, poultry, and egg merchandise. These merchandise are regulated by the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA).

Alcohol firms usually are not required to label for allergens. However wines, distilled spirits, and beers can have allergens which might be used as processing brokers or as components. That is complicated and presumably dangerous for folks with meals allergy symptoms.

Many individuals have allergy symptoms to meals that aren’t one of many 9 commonest meals allergens. They should know when their allergens are in a meals or beverage. For this reason it is necessary to require full ingredient labeling.

Alcohol particularly poses dangers to younger adults with meals allergy symptoms. Alcohol can influence response time and decision-making. This will have an effect on the power to correctly deal with a extreme allergic response referred to as anaphylaxis.

AAFA will proceed to advocate on behalf of the meals allergy neighborhood. We’re hopeful the TTB will take motion to require labeling on alcoholic drinks.

Children with Meals Allergic reactions (KFA) is the meals allergy division of AAFA.