Abstract:
Food allergies have increased in prevalence over the last few decades and continue to grow. Consumption of even trace amounts of common foods can cause a rapid allergic reaction (generally within minutes) which can be mild to severe to even life-threatening. Eating at restaurants poses a risk of allergic reactions for those with food allergies due to inadequate, inconsistent labeling of allergens in foods. Here, we review food labeling rules and practices in the restaurant industry and compare and contrast it with food labeling for prepackaged foods. We review global and United States trends, and provide a brief historical overview. The paper describes the key legal and economic motivations behind restaurant food labeling. Next, we describe novel risk-driven policies and new biotechnologies that have the potential to change food labeling practices worldwide. Finally, we outline desirable federal regulations and voluntary information disclosures that would positively impact the public health aspects of restaurant food labeling and improve the quality of life for people with severe food allergies.
摘要:
在过去的几十年中,食物过敏的患病率有所增加,并继续增长。即使食用微量的普通食物也会引起快速的过敏反应(通常在几分钟内),这可能是轻度到严重甚至危及生命。在餐馆吃饭会给那些因食物不充足而过敏的人带来过敏反应的风险,食物中过敏原的标签不一致。这里,我们回顾了餐饮业的食品标签规则和实践,并将其与预包装食品的食品标签进行比较和对比。我们回顾了全球和美国的趋势,并提供一个简短的历史概述。本文介绍了餐厅食品标签背后的主要法律和经济动机。接下来,我们描述了新的风险驱动政策和新的生物技术,它们有可能改变全球食品标签的做法.最后,我们概述了理想的联邦法规和自愿信息披露,这些法规和信息披露将对餐厅食品标签的公共卫生方面产生积极影响,并改善严重食物过敏患者的生活质量。