Reading food labels is one of the most important skills anyone managing a food allergy can develop. The good news: once you know what to look for, it becomes second nature, and apps like Verdict can do the heavy lifting for you.
The Big 14 Allergens
Regulatory bodies in the US, EU, and most of the world require manufacturers to clearly declare 14 major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame, celery, lupin, molluscs, mustard, and sulphites.
These are typically bolded in the ingredients list or called out in a Contains: statement after the list.
Understanding “May Contain” Warnings
“May contain traces of peanuts” is a voluntary advisory statement, not legally mandated. It signals that the product is made in a facility that also handles that allergen. For people with severe allergies, this matters enormously.
Watch Out for Hidden Names
Milk appears as casein, whey, lactalbumin, and more than 20 other names. Wheat hides as spelt, kamut, semolina, and farro. Knowing these alternate names, or using a scanner that recognizes them automatically, is critical.
How Verdict Makes This Easy
Instead of memorizing 200 plus ingredient synonyms, Verdict’s scanner reads the full ingredient list and flags anything that matches your personal allergen profile. One scan, instant clarity.