Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) — those familiar phrases like “may contain nuts” or “made in a factory that handles milk” — is meant to keep people with food allergies safe. But does it always help? Or can it create confusion and unnecessary fear?

In this episode, we unpack the world of precautionary allergen labels and what they really mean for families living with food allergies. We explore how PAL is regulated, why companies use it, and the challenges it brings for parents trying to make safe food choices for their children.

We also discuss:

• Why do different products use PAL inconsistently
• The real risk behind cross-contamination
• How parents and clinicians can interpret PAL more confidently
• The future of food allergen labelling and more transparent communication

Whether you’re a parent, healthcare professional, or someone living with allergies, this episode provides trusted, practical insights to help you make more informed decisions about the food on your plate.

Sources:

1. Dubois, A.E.J., Turner, P.J., Hourihane, J., Ballmer-Weber, B., Beyer, K., Chan, C.-H., Gowland, M.H., O’Hagan, S., Regent, L., Remington, B., Schnadt, S., Stroheker, T. and Crevel, R.W.R. (2018) ‘How does dose impact on the severity of food-induced allergic reactions, and can this improve risk assessment for allergenic foods? Report from an ILSI Europe Food Allergy Task Force Expert Group and Workshop’, Allergy, 00, pp. 1–10,.
2. DunnGalvin, et al. (2019) ‘Evidence‐based approaches to the application of precautionary allergen labelling: Report from two iFAAM workshops’, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 49, pp. 1191–1200,.
3. Graham, F., Benhamou, A.H., Liu, Y.J., Caubet, J.-C. and Eigenmann, P.A. (2023) ‘Real‐life evaluation of tolerance to foods with precautionary allergen labeling in children with IgE- mediated food allergy’, Allergy,,. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15821.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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