Allergens/Cross-Contact
The Breakdown
• Allergens are misrecognized as foreign and dangerous substances by the body’s immune system and therefore cause mild to severe immune responses when coming into contact with the skin, eyes, nose, respiratory tract, or gastrointestinal tract.
• Allergens can endanger human health.
Our Position
• While an important concern, allergens are outside the scope of our stated mission which focuses exclusively on pathogens.
• Stop Foodborne Illness urges food handlers and manufacturers to appropriately label all products to avoid allergic reactions and to guard against allergen cross-contact.
