Declare allergen traces
Tracking allergen traces can be tricky, but MyFoodOffice makes it easy. Allergen traces from your ingredients and production lines (Food Declaration Pro) are automatically tracked and displayed in the "Allergens and Traces" section on your product page, as well as on product reports, labels, and buyer portals.
Allergen traces means that the product may contain an allergen that is not intentionally included in the recipe, and consequently not included in the declared ingredient list. This could be as a result of cross-contact or cross-contamination
- during production or the general handling of your food stuff inside your own organisation
- from your suppler, before the ingredient arrived at your location
When Should You Declare Allergen Traces?
If there is a risk of cross-contact, or cross-contamination that cannot be fully eliminated, producers may choose to include a precautionary allergen statement (e.g., “May contain traces of [allergen]”). Use these declarations sensibly and only when:
- A comprehensive risk assessment identifies unavoidable cross-contact.
- All reasonable mitigation measures have been implemented, yet some risk remains.
How to Write Allergen Declarations
Use Clear Language: Statements should be simple and understandable. Example from MyFoodOffice: “May contain traces of peanuts, milk, nuts (almonds, walnuts).”
Avoid Overuse: Excessive precautionary statements can erode consumer trust and limit food choices for individuals with allergies. Reserve them for genuine cross-contact risks that cannot reasonably be avoided. Overuse may indicate that your company has flaws in its food safety culture, hygiene or production practices.