Food allergies impact millions of Americans, making clear and accurate labeling essential for safety. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), the U.S. has required manufacturers to label the top allergens in packaged foods since 2006. But did you know there have been recent changes to tree nut allergen labeling requirements as of January 2025? Let’s dive into the Top 9 major food allergens required to be labeled in food ingredients and explore an important—and controversial— tree nut update.

The Top 9 Major Food Allergens in the U.S.

As of 2025, food manufacturers are required to label the following allergens clearly on packaging:

1. Peanuts
2. Tree Nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews)
3. Milk
4. Eggs
5. Fish
6. Shellfish (such as shrimp, crab, and lobster)
7. Soy
8. Wheat (however, not gluten)
9. Sesame (added as of January 2023 under the FASTER Act)

They’ve found these nine allergens account for the majority of allergic reactions in the U.S. and must be explicitly named in ingredient lists in plain language or in a “Contains” statement.

Did You Know? Surprising Facts About Allergen Labeling

Many people don’t realize some of the nuances behind allergen labeling. Here are a few surprising facts:

• Precautionary labels (e.g., “May contain” or “Processed in a facility with”) are NOT required or regulated by the FDA and are entirely voluntary, meaning they can be inaccurate without repercussions.
• From 2006 to 2025, Coconut was labeled as a tree nut under FALCPA, even though it’s botanically a fruit. It’s now no longer labeled at all even though people do have vaid coconut allergies.
• Mustard is labeled as a top allergen in Canada and the EU but isn’t included in the U.S. Top 9.
• Highly refined oils (like peanut and soy oil) are exempt from labeling because processing removes most proteins that trigger allergies.
• Corn is a common allergen but is not on the required labeling list in the U.S.
• The U.S. lags behind most other countries when it comes to allergen labeling, as many countries require labeling for more than just nine allergens. South Korea, for example, has the most extensive allergen labeling requirements worldwide, covering a broader range of potential allergens.
• The U.S. lags behind most other countries when it comes to allergen labeling, as many nations require labeling for more than just nine allergens. South Korea, for example, has the most extensive allergen labeling requirements worldwide, covering a broader range of potential allergens.

South Korea’s Extensive Allergen Labeling Laws

Unlike the U.S., which mandates labeling for only nine allergens, South Korea requires labeling for 18 specific food allergens in packaged food products. These include:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Buckwheat
• Peanuts
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Mackerel
• Crab
• Shrimp
• Pork
• Peach
• Tomato
• Sulfites
• Walnuts
• Chicken
• Beef
• Squid
• Shellfish

South Korea’s allergen labeling system has been in effect since May 30, 2017, and also requires a warning label if manufacturers use shared production lines that could lead to cross-contact.

Additionally, cosmetic products in South Korea must label 25 fragrance allergens when concentrations exceed specific thresholds (0.01% for rinse-off products and 0.001% for leave-on products). This level of transparency far surpasses U.S. regulations, which do not require fragrance allergens to be disclosed at all. This impacts me directly, as I have multiple fragrance chemical allergies such as linalool and lanolin.

A Major Setback: Tree Nut Labeling Changes in 2025

In the U.S. in January 2025, the FDA made significant changes: Several tree nuts are no longer classified as major allergens under FALCPA, meaning manufacturers are no longer required to label them.

The following tree nuts will no longer require allergen labeling:

• Coconut (now categorized as a fruit, and therefore no longer labeled for)
• Shea nut
• Argan nut
• Chestnut
• Hickory nut
• Pili nut
• Beech nut

While shea nut is more a concern in non-food products such as skincare, medicines, and beauty, which are not required to be labeled for top allergens anyway (a whole separate issue!) removing coconut from allergen labeling is a serious concern for those with coconut allergies.

Since 2006, coconut has been labeled as a tree nut, allowing those allergic to it to avoid potential exposure. Now, coconut will be categorized as a fruit, eliminating the mandatory allergen warning. This change is a major step backward in food safety and transparency, as individuals with coconut allergies will have to be even more vigilant when checking ingredient lists. What the FDA should’ve done, was to re-classify coconut properly as a fruit, but keep it labeled for consumers, as well as NOT remove any tree nuts from the tree nut list they were labeling for. If the labeling processes were already in place, there was no reason to remove allergen labeling that was helping others. 

What This Means for Food Allergy Consumers

If you have an allergy to any of the above, be aware that packaging will no longer flag them as allergens. Always double-check ingredient lists, reach out to manufacturers when in doubt, and advocate for clearer labeling standards.

Food allergy awareness and advocacy are more important than ever. Stay informed and spread the word to help make food safer for everyone.

What are your thoughts on the recent allergen labeling changes and U.S. labeling laws in general?

For me, requiring more allergens as top allergens, such as corn, gluten, and alpha-gal, would be a step in the right direction, as well as labeling for “may contain” in a mandatory way where it’s standardized about what allergens are in shared facilities so people can make educated decisions around cross-contact risk. Drop a comment below and share your experiences!

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