SNHD 'Big 9' Food Allergens 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is one of the 'Big 9' major food allergens recognized by the FDA?
- Mustard
- Corn
- Sesame (Correct answer)
- Red meat
Correct answer: Sesame
The 'Big 9' major food allergens are Milk, Eggs, Fish, Crustacean shellfish, Tree nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soybeans, and Sesame. Mustard is a common allergen but is not on the U.S. FDA's major allergen list.
Question 2: A customer states they have a peanut allergy. Which of the following items should they avoid?
- Pesto sauce containing pine nuts
- Chicken satay with peanut sauce (Correct answer)
- A salad with walnuts
- Hummus with tahini
Correct answer: Chicken satay with peanut sauce
Peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts. Satay sauce is a classic example of a dish that commonly contains peanuts or peanut butter as a primary ingredient.
Question 3: Which two distinct types of shellfish are recognized as major allergens?
- Finfish and Crustaceans
- Crustaceans and Mollusks (Correct answer)
- Shrimp and Lobster
- Scallops and Oysters
Correct answer: Crustaceans and Mollusks
The FDA recognizes two separate categories of shellfish allergens: Crustacean (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster) and Molluscan (e.g., clams, oysters, scallops). However, only Crustacean shellfish are part of the 'Big 9' list requiring mandatory labeling.
Question 4: A food label lists 'hydrolyzed vegetable protein' as an ingredient. This could indicate the presence of which two major allergens?
- Milk and Eggs
- Fish and Shellfish
- Wheat and Soy (Correct answer)
- Peanuts and Tree Nuts
Correct answer: Wheat and Soy
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) is often made from soy or wheat. Food labels must specify the source if it is a major allergen, for example, 'hydrolyzed soy protein'.
Question 5: Which of the following is classified as a tree nut?
- Peanut
- Walnut (Correct answer)
- Nutmeg
- Water Chestnut
Correct answer: Walnut
Walnuts grow on trees and are classified as tree nuts. Peanuts are legumes, coconuts are botanically a fruit (though the FDA classifies them as a tree nut for labeling), and chestnuts are also tree nuts. In this list, walnut is the clearest example.
Question 6: What is the best practice to prevent allergen cross-contact when preparing a meal for a customer with a severe allergy?
- Cook the allergen-free meal on the same grill after scraping it clean.
- Use separate, cleaned, and sanitized cutting boards and utensils. (Correct answer)
- Carefully pick the allergenic ingredient off the plate before serving.
- Have the employee preparing the meal wash their hands twice.
Correct answer: Use separate, cleaned, and sanitized cutting boards and utensils.
The most effective method to prevent cross-contact is to use a completely separate set of cleaned and sanitized equipment (cutting boards, knives, bowls, etc.). Wiping surfaces is not enough to remove allergen proteins.
Question 7: A customer is allergic to fish. Which of the following sauces might contain a hidden fish allergen?
- Mayonnaise
- Soy Sauce
- Worcestershire Sauce (Correct answer)
- Hollandaise Sauce
Correct answer: Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce traditionally contains anchovies, which are a type of fish. This is a common hidden allergen that can cause a reaction in someone with a fish allergy.
SNHD 'Big 9' Food Allergens 1
Which of the following is one of the 'Big 9' major food allergens recognized by the FDA?