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PRIORITY ALLERGENS

Priority Allergens & Sensitizers

Allergens that must be declared on labels and managed in a facility’s allergen control program. The US lists 9 major allergens (FALCPA + FASTER Act); Canada lists 12 priority allergens and sensitizers. Used as the source list for the Facility allergen-handling form.

  • Milk
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Cheese, butter, cream, yogurt
    • Whey, casein, lactose, lactalbumin
    • Milk solids, milk powder
    • Ghee, custard, ice cream
  • Eggs
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Whole egg, egg white, egg yolk
    • Albumin, globulin, lysozyme
    • Mayonnaise, meringue, custard
    • Egg powder, ovomucoid
  • Fish
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Cod, salmon, tuna, tilapia, bass
    • Anchovies, fish sauce, surimi
    • Worcestershire sauce, Caesar dressing
    • Fish gelatin, fish oil, omega-3 from fish
  • Crustacean Shellfish
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Shrimp, prawn, crab, lobster
    • Crayfish, langoustine, krill
    • Shellfish stock, surimi
  • Molluscs
    Canada CFIA
    • Clams, mussels, oysters, scallops
    • Squid, octopus, cuttlefish
    • Snails, abalone

    Canada-only priority. Not required as a separate declaration under FDA, though shellfish is.

  • Tree Nuts
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews
    • Hazelnuts (filberts), macadamia, pecans
    • Pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts
    • Almond extract, nut butters, marzipan

    Each tree nut must be declared by its specific common name (e.g. 'almonds', not just 'tree nuts'). Coconut is NOT a US priority allergen as of 2026 — exclude from US FALCPA/FASTER declarations.

  • Peanuts
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Peanut butter, peanut flour, peanut oil (unrefined)
    • Satay sauce, mole, marzipan substitutes
    • Mixed nuts, granola, energy bars

    Botanically a legume, but regulated as a priority allergen.

  • Wheat
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Wheat flour, durum, semolina, spelt, kamut
    • Bulgur, couscous, farro, einkorn
    • Wheat starch, wheat protein, seitan
    • Soy sauce (often contains wheat)

    Canada also declares 'triticale' alongside wheat. Gluten declaration is a separate Canadian requirement covering barley, rye, oats, and triticale.

  • Soybeans
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Soy sauce, tamari, miso, tempeh
    • Tofu, edamame, soy milk, soy protein isolate
    • Lecithin (soy), soybean oil
    • TVP, soy flour
  • Sesame
    US FDACanada CFIA
    • Sesame seeds, sesame oil, tahini
    • Hummus, halva, sesame paste
    • Burger buns, bagels, breadsticks

    Added as the 9th US major allergen by the FASTER Act (effective January 2023).

  • Mustard
    Canada CFIA
    • Yellow, brown, oriental mustard seeds
    • Prepared mustard, Dijon, mustard powder
    • Mustard oil, salad dressings, marinades

    Canada-only priority allergen. Not required as a declaration under FDA.

  • Sulphites
    Canada CFIA
    • Wine, dried fruit, fruit juice concentrates
    • Pickled foods, vinegar, molasses
    • Frozen french fries, shrimp, processed potatoes
    • Sulphur dioxide, sodium bisulphite, potassium metabisulphite

    Not a true allergen, but Canada requires declaration at ≥ 10 ppm because sulphites trigger asthma-like reactions in sensitive individuals.

For canonical labelling text, see 21 CFR 101.4 (US) and SFCR §92 + Food and Drug Regulations B.01.010.1 (Canada).
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