how many major food allergens are there
There are nine major food allergens, often called “the Big 9.”
Quick Scoop
In current U.S. labeling law and most consumer resources, the major food allergens are:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Crustacean shellfish
- Wheat
- Soy
- Sesame (the newest, officially added as the ninth major allergen starting in 2023)
These nine account for the vast majority of serious, medically recognized food allergy reactions, even though more than 170 different foods can potentially trigger allergies in some people.