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Short, source-cited guides to food allergens and food safety. Every fact traces to FDA or USDA guidance — and each guide links the free tool that does the lookup for you.
The 9 FDA Major Food Allergens (and the Names They Hide Behind)
Nine ingredients account for most serious food-allergy reactions in the US — and US law requires every one to be declared on a label.
Hidden Names for Milk on Ingredient Labels
Milk hides behind more label words than almost any other allergen. Here are the ones worth recognizing.
Safe Internal Cooking Temperatures (USDA Chart)
Color is not a doneness test. These are the USDA minimum internal temperatures that actually make food safe.
How Long Food Actually Lasts in the Fridge
"Use by" dates aren't the whole story. Here's what the USDA cold-storage chart says about real fridge and freezer times.
Is Sesame an Allergen? What the FASTER Act Changed
As of January 1, 2023, sesame is the 9th major US food allergen — and that changed what has to be on the label.
Milk Allergy vs. Lactose Intolerance (and What to Use Instead of Dairy)
They get treated as the same thing constantly. One is an immune reaction that can be life-threatening; the other isn't. Here's the real difference, plus what actually replaces milk, butter and cream.
Is Xanthan Gum Gluten-Free?
Xanthan gum can be made from wheat — but US law requires the label to say so. Here is exactly what to look for.
What Does 'May Contain' Mean on a Food Label?
These warnings are voluntary — the FDA does not require them and does not regulate the threshold that triggers them. Here is what that means for your real-world risk.
Hidden Names for Soy on Ingredient Labels
Soy hides under more names than almost any other allergen — fermented forms, protein concentrates, and processed derivatives all count. Here is the complete FDA-sourced list.