Know India’s Mandatory Allergen List
First, know the baseline. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) mandates that eight major allergens be clearly declared on all packaged foods. These are: cereals containing gluten (like wheat), crustaceans (prawns, crabs), milk, eggs,
fish, peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, cashews), soybeans, and sulphites in concentrations of 10mg/kg or more. Any product made or packaged in India must follow this rule. This list serves as your foundation, but imported products often follow different regulations, which makes the next steps crucial for your safety.
Look for the ‘Contains’ Statement
The simplest and most direct warning is the 'Contains' statement. This is a clear, plain-language declaration usually found directly below the ingredient list. For example, a label might say 'Contains: Wheat, Milk, and Soy'. Many countries, including the US, use this format, making it one of the easiest ways to quickly check a product for major allergens. Always look for this dedicated section first. If it's there, it will list the major allergens present in the product. However, do not stop here, as not all countries require this specific statement, and it may not cover cross-contamination risks.
Scan the Full Ingredient List
If there is no 'Contains' statement, your next task is to read the entire ingredient list carefully. Ingredients are always listed in descending order by weight. European Union regulations, for instance, require allergens to be emphasised directly within the ingredient list, often using bold, italic, or underlined text. So, if you see 'Flour (Wheat)' or bolded 'Cashews', that’s your warning. Be aware that allergens can hide behind less common names. For example, 'casein' or 'whey' means milk is present, while 'albumin' indicates egg. Familiarising yourself with these alternative names for common allergens is a vital skill for reading any food label, domestic or imported.
Understand ‘May Contain’ Warnings
You will often see phrases like 'May contain traces of nuts' or 'Made in a facility that also processes shellfish'. This is known as precautionary allergen labelling (PAL). This statement means the allergen is not an intended ingredient, but cross-contamination could have occurred because the food was produced on shared equipment. While some people might ignore these warnings, for those with severe allergies, they are critical. The risk may be low, but it is not zero. Regulations around PAL are less standardised globally compared to mandatory declarations, so the decision to consume such a product depends on your personal sensitivity and risk tolerance.
Be Aware of International Differences
Allergen labelling laws are not universal. While India focuses on eight key allergens, the European Union and the UK mandate labelling for 14 allergens, including celery, mustard, sesame, lupin, and molluscs. The US recently added sesame to its list of major allergens, bringing its total to nine. This means a product imported from the EU might highlight celery as an allergen, while a product from the US may not, even if it's present. The country of origin, which must be declared on imported foods in India, can give you a clue about which labelling standard to expect. Never assume that a food is safe just because you don't see one of India's eight major allergens listed.
Use Technology for Extra Help
Don't be afraid to use your smartphone as a shopping assistant. If you're faced with a label in a language you don't understand, a translation app can be a lifesaver. You can use your phone's camera to get a real-time translation of the ingredient list. There are also specialised apps designed for people with food allergies that allow you to scan a product's barcode and get detailed allergen information. While these tools are incredibly helpful, they should be used as a supplementary aid. Always double-check the physical label yourself, as databases can sometimes have errors or outdated information.
