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    Food Allergies: Names for Common Allergens

    Food Allergies: Names for Common Allergens



    Topic Overview

    Food labels tell you what ingredients are in a food. Look for the name of your Reference allergen Opens New Window in the ingredient list, such as buttermilk if you are allergic to milk. You may see an unusual name such as "lecithin" followed by the common name (soy). Also look for a "contains" statement, such as "Contains Wheat, Milk, and Soy."

    The following table provides terms you may see on a food label for common allergens and foods that may contain the allergen.

    Common food allergy terms
    Allergen Other names/ingredients Sometimes found in:
    Wheat
    • Bran, durum, germ, gluten, grass, malt, sprouts, starch
    • Bulgur
    • Couscous
    • Cereal extract
    • Cracker meal
    • Flours
    • Semolina
    • Spelt
    • Triticale
    • Glucose syrup
    • Soy sauce
    • Starches
    • Surimi
    Milk, cow's milk protein
    • Casein, caseinates
    • Milk solids
    • Curds, whey
    • Lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate, lactose, lactoferrin
    • Ghee
    • Tagatose
    • Artificial butter flavor, margarine
    • Cheeses, custard, pudding, sour cream, yogurt
    • Chocolate, caramel candies
    • Lactic acid starter culture and other bacterial cultures
    • Lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages
    Eggs
    • Albumin
    • Mayonnaise
    • Meringue and meringue powder
    • Ovalbumin
    • Lysozyme
    • Surimi
    • Baked goods
    • Egg substitutes
    • Lecithin
    • Macaroni, pasta
    • Marzipan, marshmallow, nougat
    Shellfish
    • Barnacle, crab, crawfish, krill, lobster, prawns, shrimp
    • Mollusks, clams, cockle, octopus, scallops, squid, oysters
    • Periwinkle, sea cucumber, whelk
    • Bouillabaisse
    • Glucosamine
    • Surimi
    Tree nuts
    • Almonds, beechnut, Brazil nut, butternut, cashew, chestnut
    • Chinquapin, coconut, hazelnut, gianduja, ginkgo nut, hickory nut
    • Litchi, macadamia nut, marzipan, nangai nut, pecans, pesto, pine nut, pistachio, praline, shea nut, walnut
    • Nut extracts
    • Nut oils
    Peanuts
    • Arachis oil
    • Cold-pressed, expeller-pressed, or extruded peanut oil
    • Beer nuts, ground nuts, mixed nuts, artificial nuts, monkey nuts, nut meat
    • Mandelonas
    • Baked goods (pastries, cookies)
    • Candy, chocolates, nougat, marzipan
    • Chili, soups, egg rolls
    • Enchilada sauce, mole sauce
    • African, Asian, and Mexican dishes
    Soy
    • Edamame
    • Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
    • Miso, natto, shoyu, tofu
    • Asian dishes
    • Vegetable broth, vegetable gum, vegetable starch
    Fish
    • Anchovies
    • Caviar
    • Roe
    • Anchovies
    • Caviar
    • Roe



    By: Reference Healthwise Staff Last Revised: Reference March 23, 2011
    Medical Review: Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
    Reference Rohit K Katial, MD - Allergy and Immunology


    This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.


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