United States Guide
Allergen Labeling
Federal law requires allergens to be declared clearly on packaged food labels in the United States, using the current major food allergen list and format. Allergen lists and formats change over time, so this guide deliberately points to current FDA guidance instead of reciting a list that could be stale.
Regulatory record
- Regulatory Region
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Last Verified
- Structure reviewed 26 September 2026 — legal specifics not yet independently verified; confirm with the relevant authority
- Official Authority
- FDA
Declare allergens clearly
Packaged foods that contain a major food allergen must declare it clearly, either within the ingredient list or in a separate contains statement, in the format the current federal rules require. The declaration is about the ingredient's presence in the product, and it applies to the exact food in your package.
Avoid stale lists
Use the current federal list
The major food allergens and the required declaration format are established by federal law and have changed over time. This site does not restate the list as if frozen in time: read the current FDA allergen guidance before labeling.
Freeze-drying context
Freeze drying does not remove an allergen from a food. If your freeze-dried product contains an allergen, the label must still declare it, and cross-contact control in a shared facility is a separate food-safety question. See the food-safety allergen guide on the Food Safety Center.
Official sources
Official sources
Regulatory disclaimer
Regulatory requirements change and may depend on product, facility, sales channel, and location. This resource is educational and should be verified with the relevant government authority before commercial operation.
Common questions
Is there a contains statement required?
The current federal rules specify the acceptable formats for declaring allergens. Confirm the exact format with current FDA guidance.
Does freeze drying remove allergens?
No. Freeze drying removes water; it does not remove or destroy allergens.