The 9 Major Food Allergens You Need to Know
Food allergies affect approximately 32 million Americans, including 5.6 million children. In the United States, nine allergens account for over 90% of all food allergy reactions. Knowing where they hide is critical.
The Big 9
- Milk — Found in butter, cheese, cream, casein, whey, and lactalbumin. Also appears in unexpected places like canned tuna, processed meats, and non-dairy creamers.
- Eggs — Present in mayonnaise, baked goods, pasta, marshmallows, and many sauces. Lecithin and lysozyme can be egg-derived.
- Fish — Watch for Worcestershire sauce, Caesar dressing, and Asian fish sauces. Some omega-3 supplements are fish-derived.
- Shellfish — Includes shrimp, crab, lobster, and mollusks. Glucosamine supplements are often shellfish-derived.
- Tree Nuts — Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, and more. Found in pesto, marzipan, nougat, and many granola bars.
- Peanuts — A legume, not a tree nut. Found in many Asian cuisines, baked goods, candy, and chili sauces. Arachis oil is peanut oil.
- Wheat — Present in bread, pasta, couscous, and many sauces. Also found in soy sauce, processed meats, and ice cream.
- Soybeans — In tofu, edamame, soy sauce, and miso. Also hidden in vegetable oils, lecithin, and many processed foods.
- Sesame — Added as the 9th major allergen by the FASTER Act (2023). Found in hummus, tahini, bread, and many Asian dishes. Sometimes listed as "natural flavors."
"May Contain" Labels
Advisory statements like "may contain traces of" or "manufactured in a facility that also processes" are voluntary — not regulated by the FDA. A product without this warning isn't necessarily safer than one with it. The only reliable way to assess risk is reading the full ingredient list.
Protecting Yourself
You Scan flags all nine major allergens automatically when you scan a product, including hidden sources. Set up personalized allergen profiles for yourself and your family members to get instant warnings.