Allergies and intolerances
A food allergy or intolerance is an abnormal reaction to a substance present in a food, called an allergen. After ingesting this allergen, various clinical symptoms may appear in sensitive individuals (e.g. skin and eye problems, digestive and respiratory problems).
Anyone who develops allergic symptoms after consuming one of the products for which ALVA has issued anallergen warning on the food alerts portal should consult a doctor and inform about their consumption.
People who are not allergic or intolerant to the allergen(s) affected by these warnings may consume the product without restriction.
Consumers must be informed of the presence of the following allergens:
- Cereals containing gluten: wheat (spelt, kamut), rye, barley, oats or their hybridised strains
- Crustaceans
- Eggs
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Milk
- Nuts: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecan nuts, Brazil nuts, pistachio nuts, macadamia (Queensland nuts)
- Celery
- Mustard
- Sesame seeds
- Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (if >10 mg/kg or 10 mg/litre in the end product)
- Lupin
- Molluscs
When the ALVA issues an allergen warning on this portal, several formulations of the reason are possible. Here are the explanations:
- Presence of allergen XY not mentioned on the label: The allergen is an ingredient present in the product and is not declared on the packaging.
- Possible presence of allergen XY: The allergen may be present in the product due to cross-contamination in the food chain.
- Allergen XY was not properly indicated on the label: Although the allergen is mentioned on the packaging, labelling rules have not been respected.
You can find more information in the section of the page "conseils de sécurité alimentaire au consommateur" on the portal (only available in French).
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