Allergen Labeling Checklist for Baltimore Food Service

Federal & Maryland Allergen Labeling Requirements

The FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires clear disclosure of the 'Big 9' allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. Maryland's Food Service Code aligns with federal rules but adds requirements for allergen menu disclosure and staff knowledge certification. All packaged ingredients entering your Baltimore facility must have complete ingredient labels listing allergens in plain language. Pre-packaged items without proper labeling cannot be served, and custom-prepared items require detailed allergen documentation in your records.

Critical Inspection Checklist Items

Baltimore City Health Department inspectors look for: (1) menus or point-of-sale systems that clearly identify allergen content in all menu items, (2) ingredient labels retained on file or attached to bulk storage containers, (3) documented supplier specifications showing allergen information, (4) clean, labeled storage separating allergen-containing products to prevent cross-contact, and (5) staff training records showing all food handlers understand allergen procedures. Common violations include handwritten allergen labels with no verification, missing ingredient documentation for house-made items, and staff unable to answer allergen questions. Inspectors also verify that utensils, cutting boards, and fryers used for allergen items are not shared without sanitation between uses.

Common Violations & Prevention Strategy

Top allergen violations in Baltimore include: failing to disclose sesame (newly required under FALCPA 2023), cross-contact during food prep due to shared equipment, and inaccurate allergen claims on menus. Prevent violations by maintaining a 'Supplier Allergen Information Matrix' for all ingredients, training staff quarterly on allergen protocols, and using color-coded cutting boards and utensils for allergen-sensitive prep. When recipes change or new suppliers are used, update your allergen documentation immediately. Keep a dedicated allergen-free prep zone if possible, and document all training and audits for inspectors. Panko Alerts tracks FDA and Maryland regulatory updates so you're notified of new allergen rules before inspections occur.

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