Food insecurity is not knowing how you will get your next meal. This pandemic has led to a lot of it, especially as a result of massive unemployment. Now imagine being in that situation with a food-allergic child. It would be frightening.
There is always a level of anxiety for parents of food-allergic children, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-mandated labeling of food allergens has helped to allay some of those concerns. Shopping can feel safer, even if it's not foolproof.
Now, that fear for the safety of food-allergic children is going to be compounded by the FDA's latest announcement, made at the behest of the food industry.
Disruptions in the food supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic have created some problems for the food industry. The industry sought—and received—relief from the FDA; they are now allowing some ingredient substitutions without mandating a change in labeling. These changes were made without opportunity for public comment, according to the FDA, because of the exigency of the situation. Furthermore, the changes may stay in effect for an indeterminate period of time after the pandemic is deemed under control.
Labeling of gluten and the major eight allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and crustacean shellfish) cannot change under the new guidelines.
