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Question 1
What are the 9 major food allergens recognized by the FDA under FALCPA and the FASTER Act?
Answer: Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. These are the most common allergens that must be declared on food labels.
Question 2
Which allergen was added to the FDA's major allergen list by the FASTER Act, effective January 1, 2023?
Answer: Sesame. It became the 9th major food allergen, requiring labeling disclosure on packaged foods sold in the United States.
Question 3
How are tree nuts different from peanuts in terms of allergen classification?
Answer: Peanuts are legumes (grow underground), while tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, cashews) grow on trees. Both are separate major allergens, and a person can be allergic to one without being allergic to the other.
Question 4
Which of the Big 9 allergens includes both finfish (such as salmon and tuna) and crustacean shellfish (such as shrimp and crab) as separate categories?
Answer: Fish and shellfish are two distinct allergens. Fish refers to finfish, while shellfish refers to crustaceans and mollusks. A person may be allergic to one and not the other.
Question 5
What is anaphylaxis, and why is it considered a medical emergency in the context of food allergies?
Answer: Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause airway constriction, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. It requires immediate administration of epinephrine and emergency medical care.