International food experts issued new advice about 'may contain' labels. These warnings appear when a food might accidentally include an allergen. Shared equipment or storage can cause this cross-contact. However, some companies use the warning too often. This can leave people unsure about which products are truly risky.
New Codex guidance uses science-based limits for unsafe allergen levels. It asks manufacturers to prevent cross-contact and assess real risks. A warning should appear only when careful controls cannot remove the danger. Clearer labels can help allergic shoppers make safer choices. They may also help food businesses follow the same approach across countries.