Foods and Drugs Falsely Advertised as "Corn Free" / My 5/8/19 Inquiry to the FDA

Apparently, the ppm (parts per million) regulation will not apply to corn-derived ingredients[1] in foods and drugs until corn is declared an official allergen subject to FDA labeling requirements.

I have filed numerous adverse reaction reports with my state FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator (Adulterated or Misbranded Foods or Drugs [2]), with the requisite photos of the packaging, UPC Code, etc.  In addition, I have also filed reports with the FTC for false advertising claims.  However, these companies continue to advertise these reported products as corn free – endangering the lives of corn-allergic consumers.

In the event you experience a corn allergy reaction to a product that is labeled "corn free," refer to instructions for filing reports in the following links:

FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm

FTC Filing a Complaint to Report False and Misleading Labeling

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/GettingStarted?NextQID=275&Url=%23%26panel1-9#crnt

My May 8, 2019, inquiry to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food and Cosmetic Information Center (FCIC)/Technical Assistance Network (TAN):

What is the current limit of ppm (parts per million) for a "corn-free" claim by food manufacturers?  Too many people in our corn allergy groups of over 11K members are experiencing allergic reactions to the majority of products advertised as "corn free." A company should not be allowed to make corn-free claims if these products contain corn-derived ingredients. I have filed adverse reaction reports with the FDA, but these companies continue to advertise their products as "corn free."

May 9, 2019, reply to my inquiry:

“Thank you for your inquiry to the FDA Food and Cosmetics Information Center.

You are asking about limits on "corn free" in food label claims.

FDA has not established such a threshold as you are describing.

As you are aware, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) has identified the eight most common major allergenic foods. These foods account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions, and are the food sources from which many other ingredients are derived (such as whey from milk).

Our website has a consumer Q&A on food allergen labeling. There, you can see the work done on gluten-free labeling. FALCPA called for study of the presence of gluten in food, which set the stage for establishing a threshold, through which FDA developed a rule on gluten-free labeling.

Please see a section on Qualified Health Claims and the criteria established for manufacturers to pursue in seeking to use such label claims.

If you have encountered a product that claims to be corn-free and it is not, you can report it to an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area, who can investigate the matter further. In Florida, where you reside (based on your zip code), you can speak with an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator at 866-337-6272 (toll free). Thank you.

Thank you for contacting FDA’s FCIC/TAN.

View popular Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) questions and answers identified by the Technical Assistance Network (TAN), on our website.”

[1] Corn products/derivatives to avoid if you are allergic to corn

https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/07/corn-allergen-lists.html

[2] Title 21 U.S.C. - Section 343, Chapter 1 - Adulterated or Misbranded Foods or Drugs
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/343

Diane H., Corn Allergy Advocate

Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources

https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/

@CornAllergy911