For consumers with severe allergies, product labels are key

by | Jun 9, 2020 | products liability

Products like food, medication or cosmetics can be harmless to some – but deadly to others. Certain ingredients are common triggers for life-threatening allergic reactions. That is why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires manufacturers to clearly state ingredients on product labels.

Unfortunately, companies may fall short when it comes to keeping consumers safe. Sometimes, they exclude critical ingredients from product labels. If a customer with a severe allergy uses the product, they might face a medical emergency in a matter of minutes.

Crab cakes recalled due to label shortcomings

The FDA has recently recalled packaged crab cakes from Johnson Sea Products. The package label does not state that the crab cakes contain wheat and soy, which can cause serious reactions for allergic consumers. Thankfully, no consumers reported serious injuries before the FDA recalled the product.

Although the company sold this specific product in Alabama and Florida, there is always the potential for a similar problem to happen here in Louisiana. Even if a company knows the rules for labelling products correctly, mistakes can happen during the manufacturing and packaging process.

Accurate labels can save lives

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires manufacturers to specify major food allergens, which include:

  • Wheat
  • Soybeans
  • Milk
  • Egg
  • Peanuts and tree nuts
  • Fish and shellfish

Companies must follow specific labeling rules depending on the type of product and the context, such as whether the company is a food manufacturer or restaurant. If they fail to clearly label major allergens, they may be responsible for consumers who suffer serious reactions as a result.

Labels are a key part of consumer safety. If a lack of information or inaccurate information on a label causes injury or death to the consumer, the law gives you a way to hold the company accountable.