Study shows many consumers ignore allergen warnings

Roughly 2.5 million Canadians and 15 million Americans may suffer from some kind of food allergy. These allergies can cause reactions that range from itchiness to vomiting and even loss of consciousness.

But, a new study by Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan of McGill University in Montreal showed that out of a field of 2,400 respondents, about 44 percent of directly affected consumers – those who either have lived or currently live in a household that has one or more persons with a food allergy – would buy a food product with a label warning it may contain nuts.

At the same time, only 16 percent of consumers who are indirectly affected – meaning that they frequently serve a person or household that is directly affected – would buy a food product that is labeled with an allergen warning.

“They may feel more responsibility when preparing food for other people,” said Dr. Ben-Shoshan.

Dr. Rauno Joks, chief of allergy and immunology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, told Reuters Health, “They think they can get away with a certain amount [of restricted food] before having a reaction. I really caution them not to take chances with their health.”

The researchers also found that across all groups, the label “not suitable” was the most effective in preventing purchases. Furthermore, respondents in households where only adults had an allergy rather than a child were less wary of labels and ingredients as well.

If grocers and other food merchants want to test out different labels for their products to determine which ones may be the most effective, it may make sense to invest in a Primera LX900 color label printer that can produce labels when and where they need them in just the quantities they can actually use, allowing them freedom when experimenting with their ideal design.