Food Code Fact Sheet #7 What you should know about the Code

WWW.HEALTHOREGON .ORG / FOODSAFETY Allergens

The person in charge must be A food allergy is a potentially seri- OAR 333-150-0000, able to describe the major food ous response to consuming cer- CHAPTER 1-201.10(B); allergens and the symptoms that tain foods or food additives. For 2-102.11(C)(9); 3-602.11 a major food allergen could cause those who are sensitive, a reac- (B)(5) in a sensitive individual who has tion can occur within minutes or

1-201.10(B) an allergic reaction. hours, and symptoms can range "Major food allergen" from mild to life threatening. Al- means: With one in 25 Americans re- lergic reactions can include hives, (a) Milk, egg, fish (such as bass, flounder, cod, and porting a food allergy, restau- flushed skin or rash, tingling or including crustacean shell- rants are increasingly likely to itchy sensation in the mouth, fish such as crab, lobster, or have customers who require a face, tongue, or lip swelling, vom- shrimp), tree nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or wal- special meal according to Food iting and/or diarrhea, abdominal nuts), wheat, peanuts, and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network cramps, coughing or wheezing, soybeans; or (http://www.foodallergy.org/ dizziness and/or lightheadedness, (b) A food ingredient that contains protein derived section/welcoming-guests-with- from a food, as specified in with-food-allergies). Subparagraph (1)(a) of this definition. Eight foods account for 90% of 2-102.11(C)(9) all food-allergic reactions. They Describing foods identified as major food allergens and are: the symptoms that a major 1. Milk (e.g., butter, yogurt, food allergen could cause in cheeses, chocolate milk, ice a sensitive individual who has an allergic reaction. Pf cream and desserts) 2. Egg (anything containing 3-602.11(B)(5) egg) The name of the food source for each major food allergen 3. Peanut contained in the food unless 4. Tree nuts (e.g., walnuts, al- the food source is already monds, hazel, cashew, pista- part of the common or usual name of the respective ingre- chio, and pecan) dient (Effective January 1, 5. Fish (e.g., flounder, salmon, For some people, just a trace 2006). Pf bass, and cod) amount of the offending 6. Shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, food can cause an allergic and shrimp) reaction. 7. Wheat (e.g., bread, flour, PUBLIC HEALTH roux, breading, desserts, swelling of the throat and vocal REASONS: soup bases, and some flavor- cords, and difficulty breathing. If ings), and you spot a reaction, tell the man- A food allergy is a specific type of reaction involving the 8. Soy (e.g., tofu and sauce). ager. immune system. The body produces an antibody to a food. Once a specific food is Risky types of foods include des- If the customer is in distress, call ingested and binds with the serts, sauces, salad bars, buffets, 911 and stay with the customer antibody, the person has an deep fried foods and meals with until help arrives. allergic reaction. many ingredients.

Foodborne Illness Prevention Program November 2014