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How Can I Report an Allergic Reaction to a Mislabeled Food?

by Victoria Groce
for About.com

Updated February 12, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Question: How Can I Report an Allergic Reaction to a Mislabeled Food?
Answer:

It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint an allergic reaction to one food. Most of the time, we eat or drink more than one food at one time. Occasionally, too, reactions can result from more than one factor, as with exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Sometimes, though, the cause of a reaction is obvious -- you've eaten just one food and had an immediate and severe reaction. If you've had a reaction to a mislabeled food, you need to take two steps. First, contact the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for your state. (In Canada, contact the CFIA). They will investigate to determine whether the label is misleading and whether the product contained undeclared allergens.

Second, contact the manufacturer to report the adverse reaction. Customer service is a fine first contact -- the phone number should be on the package or website. But if you are not pleased with the response from the company don't hesitate to contact the vice president of customer relations or the company president.

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