In February 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a virtual public meeting and listening session on food allergen thresholds and their potential applications, signalling a major step forward in how allergen risks may be assessed and managed in the future.
Food allergies continue to affect millions, with avoidance remaining the only effective protection against severe reactions. While unintended allergen presence from cross-contact remains a persistent challenge, scientific advances over the past decade have demonstrated that very low levels of certain allergens are unlikely to trigger reactions in most allergic individuals. This has prompted growing international interest in the use of evidence-based allergen thresholds.
The FDA meeting brought together industry, consumer groups, clinicians, retailers and researchers to explore how thresholds might be applied in practice. Potential uses discussed included informing allergen risk assessments, strengthening approaches to allergen advisory statements, supporting labelling exemption petitions, and guiding enforcement and compliance decisions. Importantly, the FDA emphasised that it has not yet established or endorsed specific threshold levels, and is still gathering stakeholder input.
This discussion builds on recent international expert consultations that recommended risk-based thresholds rather than blanket precautionary labelling. The FDA has invited further public comment until 19 May 2026, with themes from the meeting expected to be published later this year.
For more information and details on how to submit a comment, please visit the FDA website.
