A group of the eight major allergenic foods is often referred to as the Big-81 and comprises milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybean. These foods account for about 90% of all food allergies in the United States and must be declared on any processed food according to the USA food allergen labeling act (FALCPA)1. In addition labeling of the Big-8 is mandatory according to EU, Canadian, Japanese and Australian / New Zealand regulations, all of which follow Codex Alimentarius recommendations.
Allergic consumers may accidentally encounter problem foods as several of the Big-8 (e.g. eggs, milk, wheat, and soybean) are often used in processed products and can be "hidden".
For a detailed description of the individual members of this group please follow the links.
