Boston Allergen Labeling Compliance Checklist for Food Service

Federal FDA Allergen Labeling Requirements You Must Follow

The FDA Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires clear disclosure of the nine major allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, and sesame. All packaged foods must list allergens in plain language on labels, either in the ingredient list or in a separate "Contains" statement. For food service operations in Boston, pre-packaged items must display complete allergen information, and written menus or menu boards must indicate which dishes contain major allergens. The Boston Public Health Commission inspectors specifically verify that allergen statements are visible, accurate, and not buried in small font.

Massachusetts State-Specific Allergen Disclosure Rules

Massachusetts requires food service establishments to provide written allergen information upon request, and many Boston inspections focus on whether staff can accurately identify allergens in prepared dishes. The state follows FDA FALCPA standards but adds requirements for staff training documentation—operators must maintain records showing employees understand cross-contact risks and can communicate allergen information to customers. Sesame became a major allergen under federal law in January 2023, so Boston establishments must ensure all menus and ingredient lists updated to include sesame disclosures. Non-compliance with allergen training or disclosure documentation is a common violation category during Boston health inspections.

Common Allergen Violations & Inspection Checkpoints in Boston

Boston inspectors look for outdated menus that don't reflect allergen changes, unlabeled prepared foods missing allergen identification, and staff unable to answer allergen questions. Cross-contact violations occur when allergen-containing foods are prepared near non-allergen items without proper separation—this is critical for operations using shared equipment or utensils. Missing or illegible allergen statements, failure to disclose sesame after the 2023 FDA requirement, and lack of documented staff allergen training are frequent violation citations. Corrective action deadlines for allergen violations are typically strict; establish a written allergen management procedure, verify all menus are current, and conduct monthly staff training to stay compliant with Boston requirements.

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