Updated 2026-09-12. This page is not legal advice.
The allergen rules come from two federal laws. FALCPA, from 2004, named eight major allergens. The FASTER Act added sesame on January 1, 2023. Every food sold in the United States that contains one of them must say so on the label. Cottage food laws in every state we have checked point to the same rule.
What are the nine major allergens?
Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. Fish, shellfish, and tree nuts must be named by kind: “cod”, “shrimp”, “almonds”.
What are the two ways to declare an allergen?
The first way is inside the ingredient list, in parentheses after the ingredient: “whey (milk)”, “lecithin (soy)”. The second way is a “Contains” line right after the ingredient list: “Contains: milk, soy.” You may use either. Most small makers use both, because buyers look for the “Contains” line.
What does the “Contains” line have to look like?
It starts with the word “Contains” followed by a colon. It lists every major allergen in the food, by its food source name. It sits right after the ingredient list, in type at least as large as the ingredient list. Example:
Contains: wheat, milk, eggs, almonds.
What if my kitchen also handles allergens that are not in this food?
A “may contain” or “made in a facility that also processes” statement is voluntary under federal law. It does not replace the “Contains” line. If you add one, keep it true and keep it separate from the “Contains” line.
How do I find hidden allergens in my ingredients?
Read the ingredient list on every package you buy. Butter is milk. Most chocolate chips have soy lecithin and often milk. Most bread crumbs are wheat. Worcestershire sauce often has fish. Some spice blends have wheat. Write down the allergen next to each ingredient before you write the label.
What does a full example look like?
A peanut butter cookie:
Ingredients: peanut butter (peanuts, salt), sugar, eggs, enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), butter (cream, salt), baking soda, vanilla extract.
Contains: peanuts, eggs, wheat, milk.