Minnesota Food Code Rule Revision

News from The Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota

Foods Derived from Allergens:
Supplemental Recommendation Adopted by
Food Code Rule Revision Committee

On February 24th the FDA Food Code Minnesota Rule Revision Committee voted unanimously to adopt language regarding foods derived from the 8 major allergens in the U.S. Now foods derived from the 8 major U.S. allergens will be treated as carefully as the allergens themselves.

The provision supplements the food allergy recommendations adopted by the full committee in January. The recommendations passed in January addressed allergens, and employees' demonstration of knowledge.


The FDA Food Code affects restaurants, bakeries, groceries, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, camps, catering, convenience stores, vending machines, and other entities that prepare or sell food to the public. Adoption of the allergen recommendations was a critical development in the lengthy Rule Revision process, which many states undergo. Advocates in other states may urge adoption of language and agency materials modeled after what is being developed Minnesota.

The Allergen Subcommittee, which drafted and proposed the food allergy recommendations to the full committee, included representatives from the MN Department of Agriculture, Cargill, Supervalu, MN Grocers' Association, St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections, and the Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota (AFAA). AFAA's Executive Director, Nona Narvaez, served as Chair of the subcommittee.

In addition to allergens, other issues addressed by the Food Code Rule Revision committee are USFDA 3-Tier System, Science-Based/HACCP/Risk-Based Code, and Food Manager Certification.

Read Allergen Subcommittee supplemental documents.