07/07/2025
This is so well said.
Follow Allergy Force and CFFfoods
A while ago our adult son had a reaction to a mystery trigger. To this day we don't know what caused it. We'd read all the labels on the packaged foods we'd bought. Again and again.
That's the thing about food labels — the 'May Contain', 'Made on shared lines', 'Made in the same facility statements are 100% voluntary disclosures. They're not regulated by the FDA other than guidance that they must be accurate, truthful and where they should be placed on a food label.
And that's when manufacturers CHOOSE to use them.
But not all manufacturers put those statements on their food products.
💡IMPORTANT: When you don't see those statements, their absence doesn't mean the food is free of allergens. It doesn't mean the food product is any safer to eat than foods with the disclosures. The only way to determine if a food may contain your allergens is to call the manufacturer and ask detailed questions.
MenuTrinfo offers an accredited certification program called 'Certified Free From' (CFF). MenuTrinfo certifies food manufacturers and hospitality locations (think college dining halls) 'Free From' after reviewing their allergen controls and processes during in-person audits versus rigorous compliance standards.
Once certified, these manufacturers and hospitality locations must:
➡️ Regularly test for the presence of allergens in their foods/facilities,
➡️ Report findings, and
➡️ Undergo annual audits to maintain their CFF certification.
The certification can be extended for 1, some, or all of the Top 9 (or 11 or 14 if you live in Canada or Europe) allergens (and gluten, too).
As a consumer with food allergies you can be confident that when you see the CFF seal displayed on a food product or food service location, your allergens won't be present in the food that's sold or served to you. The certification makes trust possible.
Learn more about CFF and why it's peace of mind through manufacturer transparency — when they don't just 'promise' free from. They prove it: https://cfffoods.org/
If you have favorite brands, tell them about this certification program and what it means for maintaining the trust and loyalty of the 33 million US consumers with food allergies.
