Allergen Labeling Requirements for St. Louis Restaurants

Federal FDA Allergen Labeling Standards

The FDA's Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires that the nine major food allergens—milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame—be clearly declared on packaged food labels. For restaurants in St. Louis, FALCPA applies to all packaged ingredients used in food preparation. Allergen information must be in plain language (not scientific names) and positioned where consumers can easily read it. Even trace amounts from shared equipment or preparation surfaces must be disclosed if there's a significant risk of cross-contact. The FDA enforces these requirements through inspections and compliance guidance for foodservice operators.

Missouri State & St. Louis Local Requirements

Missouri's health code, enforced by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, requires restaurants to maintain accurate ingredient information and disclose allergens upon customer request. The City of St. Louis Health Department adds additional oversight through its Food Protection Program, which conducts routine inspections and monitors allergen compliance. St. Louis establishments must maintain detailed ingredient lists, supplier documentation, and staff training records related to allergen identification. Local health inspectors may cite restaurants for inadequate allergen menus, unlabeled bulk items, or failure to train employees on allergen awareness. Missouri does not have a separate state-level allergen labeling law that differs materially from federal standards, but local enforcement can be stricter.

How St. Louis Requirements Differ from Federal Standards

While federal FALCPA focuses on packaged food labels, St. Louis health department inspections assess the entire customer-facing allergen disclosure system—including menu boards, written menus, and staff knowledge. St. Louis restaurants are often required to provide allergen information in multiple formats (verbal, written, digital) rather than relying solely on labels. The City of St. Louis also emphasizes cross-contact prevention procedures during inspections, going beyond federal labeling to examine prep areas, utensil storage, and fryer management. Non-compliance at the local level can result in warning notices, fines up to several hundred dollars per violation, or temporary closure orders. Panko Alerts monitors FDA recall notices and City of St. Louis health department alerts in real time to help restaurants stay ahead of compliance issues.

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