Labeling of processed foods is one of the most confusing aspects of managing a new food allergy. How do you evaluate the sentence, “Produced in a facility which also processes milk, gluten and tree nuts”? Or the ever-illuminating, “May contain peanuts and soy”? Another favorite of mine is the following: “Traces of milk and wheat may be present.” Each of these statements are from a real label, where the company is making a legitimate attempt to help the consumer with an allergy. But are they really helping us? Or are you just as confused as I am?

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America would really like to influence new US labeling guidelines. They’ve got a survey that they are asking people with allergies (and their loved ones) to complete. All responses are anonymous. For a few minutes spent answering 20 simple questions (with a couple extra about yourself, if you are willing), you can support the efforts of a national organization that is trying to improve labeling for all those dealing with allergies.

It’s not like governments everywhere don’t know that there are problems. The Canadian government just announced new labeling requirements to protect people with allergies. The big issue, of course, is for those with life-threatening anaphylaxis. Government regulators want to make sure that companies provide the right information to protect the consumer from an allergic reaction.

I can’t think of a better way to protect those with allergies than to ask the people who need the labeling.

If you’ve got allergies or you deal with a child’s allergies, you need to have a voice in the labeling debate. After all, if you can’t get the information you need from the label, you won’t be buying the food. Neither you nor the food manufacturer win in that scenario.