The Big 9

Learn the essentials of the FDA’s Big 9 allergens—milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame. This series covers where these allergens appear, how to prevent cross-contact, and what foodservice teams need to know to protect guests, stay compliant, and build a strong food safety culture.


Sesame Allergies
Sesame Allergies

Sesame Allergies

Thanks to the FASTER Act of 2021, sesame is officially recognized as the 9th major food allergen in the United States. As of January 1, 2023, sesame must be listed in plain language on packaged foods and is subject to the same labeling and manufacturing requirements as the other Big Nine allergens. Important Reminder: Foods already in interstate commerce before 2023 are not required to be relabeled. Therefore, during this transition, consumers must continue to carefully read all food labels eve


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Crustacean Shellfish
Crustacean Shellfish

Crustacean Shellfish

Crustacean shellfish allergy is one of the most common and persistent food allergies, affecting approximately 2.5% of adults and up to 1.3% of children in the U.S. Unlike many childhood allergies, it’s often lifelong and can develop suddenly in adulthood, even after years of safe shellfish consumption. This allergy is one of the top causes of food-induced anaphylaxis, particularly in adults. In one review, shellfish accounted for 34% of all adult anaphylaxis episodes. Shellfish allergy also app


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Finned Fish Allergy
Finned Fish Allergy

Finned Fish Allergy

Seafood is among the most common food allergens, affecting both children and adults. Within this category, there are three key groups: * Crustaceans (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster) * Mollusks (e.g., clams, mussels, oysters, scallops) * Finned Fish (e.g., tuna, salmon, cod, halibut) While shellfish allergies are more common, finned fish allergy is no less serious. It affects approximately 1% of the population, is more prevalent in adults, and unlike many childhood food allergies, is usually li


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Soy Allergies
Soy Allergies

Soy Allergies

Soy is one of the most common food allergens—especially in children—and it presents a unique challenge in foodservice due to its widespread use in both obvious and hidden ingredients. While many children outgrow soy allergy, the condition can cause serious reactions, including anaphylaxis, and must be taken seriously in any kitchen or dining setting. For foodservice professionals, managing soy allergy effectively means understanding the science, the sources, and the safety protocols required to


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Wheat Allergies
Wheat Allergies

Wheat Allergies

Wheat allergies may not generate as many headlines as peanut or dairy allergies, but they remain a serious concern in foodservice settings. For customers with wheat allergy, even trace amounts can cause reactions ranging from skin irritation to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Understanding the science, knowing where wheat hides, and preventing cross-contact are essential steps to serving these customers safely—and legally. What Is Wheat Allergy? A wheat allergy is an IgE-mediated immune reacti


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Egg Allergies
Egg Allergies

Egg Allergies

Egg allergy is among the most common food allergies in children, though it can persist into adulthood. It involves an IgE-mediated immune response to proteins in hen's eggs—particularly in the egg white—and can cause anything from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis. In the foodservice industry, where egg is both a common and often hidden ingredient, diligent allergen safety practices are critical to guest safety. Understanding Egg Allergy Most allergic reactions are triggered by p


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Milk Allergies
Milk Allergies

Milk Allergies

Milk allergy is among the most common food allergies, particularly in infants and young children. It involves an IgE-mediated immune response to milk proteins and can range from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis. While many children may outgrow it, others carry the allergy into adulthood. For foodservice professionals, strict vigilance and allergen awareness are essential to protect milk-allergic guests and maintain regulatory compliance. Understanding Milk Allergy Milk allergy i


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Tree Nut Allergies
Tree Nuts

Tree Nut Allergies

Tree nut allergies are one of the top nine food allergens and present a serious health risk to consumers. Though affecting roughly 1% of the U.S. population, tree nuts are a leading cause of severe allergic reactions, particularly in teens and adults. For foodservice professionals, understanding these risks and adopting strict safety measures is vital for both customer safety and regulatory compliance. What Are Tree Nut Allergies? Unlike some childhood allergies, tree nut allergies are typic


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