What Kinds of Warning Labels Are on Foods?

As a consumer, you should read the warning labels on foods, regardless of how few or many dietary restrictions you have. Although most warning labels highlight the possible presence of common allergens, several serve to educate consumers on safety practices while handling certain foods. Ingredient lists and storage instructions for perishable products are also important components of some warning labels, which help protect manufacturers from liability. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Food Allergies

One of the most important warning labels on many foods are allergen lists. Because many people have food allergies and intolerance severe enough to cause death, manufacturers must list even trace amounts of certain allergens. These trace amounts may be due to the shared machinery used in the creation and packaging of certain foods, especially those that require a great deal of processing. Common food allergens include but are not limited to dairy, shellfish, wheat, nuts, coconut and gluten.

Expiration Dates

Expiration dates are displayed on all packaged food products and are most prominent on those that perish relatively quickly. You should adhere to expiration dates on items such as eggs, meat and dairy products strictly, because these are animal products. On the other hand, items such as bread and other baked goods tend to suffer more from staleness than spoilage, so their expiration dates are less crucial; however, you should always use common sense in the event a food product tastes, smells or appears spoiled despite what an expiration date says.

Refrigeration

Some foods require immediate refrigeration after you open them, even if they were not refrigerated previously. Because the sealing mechanism on a food product is permanently compromised once the item has been opened, air and bacteria can now enter and spoil the previously unexposed edibles. Some foods (such as fresh meat, frozen goods and most dairy) have labels communicating the need for continuous refrigeration whether the packaging is fully intact or not.

Flammability

Although they are less common, labels on some food products warn of flammability. Cooking sprays and various oils (canola, vegetable and olive, for example) come with warning labels expressing the importance of keeping the products away from open flames. In addition, cooking sprays with contents under pressure indicate the minimum and maximum temperatures in which you can store them. Products with flammability warning labels also stress the importance of careful handling.

Warning

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, watch for potential adverse reactions while dining in restaurants and other venues that use a common kitchen in the preparation of all foods. As is also the case with food companies that use shared machinery in manufacturing several different food products, the potential exists for cross contamination with allergens. If you have food allergies, make your concerns known to restaurant personnel before you place an order.