Effective January 1, 2006, the US FDA requires that the labels of all foods (all foods except meat, poultry, and certain egg products) must clearly identify the source of all ingredients that are - or are derived from - the eight most common food allergens, which are:

• 1. Milk
• 2. Eggs
• 3. Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
• 4. Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
• 5. Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• 6. Peanuts
• 7. Wheat
• 8. Soybeans

The only way to prevent food allergies is to stay away from the food - the source of allergens. That's why if you or one in your family has food allergy, reading the labels in all the food products that you buy is a must.

Lest you are forgetting, the FDA has a full reminder.

Need more information on food allergies and allergen labeling, go to FDA's webpage at or call FDA at: 1-888-SAFEFOOD.