ICFSM Food Allergen Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The FASTER Act of 2021 added which ingredient as the 9th major food allergen in the United States?
- Mustard
- Sesame (Correct answer)
- Lupin
- Celery
Correct answer: Sesame
The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2021 officially added sesame as the 9th major food allergen, effective January 1, 2023.
Question 2: A 'may contain traces of peanuts' advisory statement on a food label is best described as:
- A mandatory FDA-required allergen warning
- A voluntary precautionary allergen labeling statement not regulated by FALCPA (Correct answer)
- Proof that peanuts are an intentional ingredient
- A substitute for listing peanuts in the ingredient declaration
Correct answer: A voluntary precautionary allergen labeling statement not regulated by FALCPA
Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) such as 'may contain' statements are voluntary and not mandated by FALCPA; they indicate a risk of unintentional cross-contact during manufacturing.
Question 3: What is the primary physiological difference between a food allergy and food intolerance?
- Food allergies are always more severe than food intolerances
- Food allergies involve an immune system response; food intolerance involves a digestive response (Correct answer)
- Food intolerances can be life-threatening; food allergies cannot
- Food allergies are caused by bacteria; food intolerances are caused by chemicals
Correct answer: Food allergies involve an immune system response; food intolerance involves a digestive response
A food allergy triggers an immune system reaction against specific proteins, while food intolerance involves difficulty digesting a substance and is not immune-mediated.
Question 4: When preparing an allergen-free meal for a customer with a documented tree nut allergy, what practice is MOST important?
- Using the same cutting board as other dishes but washing it quickly
- Using dedicated allergen-free equipment and preparing the dish in a clean area (Correct answer)
- Preparing the allergen-free dish last after finishing other orders
- Informing the customer that trace amounts are acceptable
Correct answer: Using dedicated allergen-free equipment and preparing the dish in a clean area
Dedicated allergen-free equipment and a clean preparation area prevent cross-contact, which is the most important safeguard when preparing meals for allergic customers.
Question 5: Which of the following tree nuts is classified as a major food allergen under the FDA's Big 9?
- Coconut
- Peanut
- Walnut (Correct answer)
- Nutmeg
Correct answer: Walnut
Walnut is a true tree nut and is classified under the tree nut allergen group; peanuts are legumes, coconut is technically a fruit, and nutmeg is a spice.
Question 6: A food safety manager discovers that a supplier changed an ingredient in a product without notification. What should the manager do FIRST?
- Continue using the product until the current stock is depleted
- Immediately pull the product from use and review the new ingredient list for allergens (Correct answer)
- File a complaint with the FDA before taking any other action
- Inform customers verbally that the recipe may have changed
Correct answer: Immediately pull the product from use and review the new ingredient list for allergens
When a supplier changes ingredients without notification, the manager must immediately remove the product and review the new formula to identify any potential allergen risks before reintroducing it.
Question 7: Which FDA regulation mandates that food manufacturers label the presence of major food allergens on packaged foods?
- FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
- Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) (Correct answer)
- Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) Section 201
- Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA)
Correct answer: Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)
FALCPA, enacted in 2004, requires manufacturers to clearly label the presence of the major food allergens on packaged food products sold in the United States.
ICFSM Food Allergen Management 2
The FASTER Act of 2021 added which ingredient as the 9th major food allergen in the United States?