Other FALCPA Requirements

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Processing aids are widely used by the food industry, but are different from other ingredients like sugar or flour. Soy lecithin, for example, is used as a processing aid (as a nonstick spray to keep baked goods from sticking to baking pans, or as a carrier for certain flavor, spice, or vitamin ingredients).

Processing aids may be present in very low levels in the finished food product, and prior to FALCPA, were not reflected in ingredient statements.

However, FALCPA requires food companies to label ingredients like soy lecithin, regardless of its level in the food you purchase. You, therefore, may notice “soy lecithin” or “Contains soy” on products that did not previously list soy. You may also see other ingredients derived from major allergens being treated as processing aids that had not been labeled pre-FALCPA.

This change to the food label may reduce the choice of food products available to you. Some members may be tempted to ignore the food label based on past safe use of the food product. This is potentially dangerous if you start assuming any label change is related to insignificant levels having to be labeled by FALCPA rather than a true reformulation of the food product. So rather than ignore “Contains …” statements, speak to your doctor or contact FAAN.