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Universal Allergy Symbols

Asthma and allergies affect about 25 percent of all Americans and are on the rise. Symptoms range from redness, swelling, itching, difficulty breathing, anaphylactic shock and even death. A food-labeling system would assist individuals in avoiding certain foods and non-foods.

  1. Universal Allergy Labeling System

    • Currently there isn't a universal labeling or coding system to identify common allergens such as milk, eggs, wheat, seafood and nuts. Many food labels voluntarily declare if they contain certain foods or if they have been prepared in an area shared with certain allergens.

    Food Labeling in The European Union

    • The European Union is far more advanced than the United States in providing widespread information to potential sufferers via menus in restaurants. Menus contain letters to confirm the presence of shellfish, nuts, celery, sulfates and other substances known to trigger food sensitivity and/or allergies.

    Non-Food Products

    • Many vaccines and other medicines are prepared from egg albumin, often unlisted in the ingredients. Also, certain topical lotions contain soybean and/or peanut oils which are not always declared to alert sufferers.

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