I sent a letter to Smart Balance asking them why there isn’t an allergy warning on some of their products that contain fish oil. Because, y’know, I don’t expect to find fish oil in my milk.
I will always check any sort of margarine for fish oil because it’s oily. But milk? Who even thinks to check plain, white milk for allergens at all? Except I did, because the package said “now with added Omega-3!” (or something to that effect).
I got a reply, which was nice. Except that it wasn’t, really.
The email:
As much as we would like to indicate a particular allergen prominently on the package, it is virtually impossible due to the great number of allergies and dietary restrictions some of which are voluntary.
They included a handy chart of what has what possible allergens in it. Most of them wouldn’t need to be stated (dairy products contain dairy! Peanut butter contains peanuts! Almond butter contains tree nuts!) At the end of their product list is this nice little disclaimer. Emphasis mine.
Extensive but not conclusive experience shows that people with fish allergies can, and are encouraged, to consume refined fish oils for the positive benefits of EPA and DHA Omega-3. However, no guarantee can be given that the oils are suitable for consumption by all individuals experiencing allergic reactions to fish.
It is not a requirement to “allergen label” highly refined oils from an allergen on consumer packaging in the U.S., however, it is included in the ingredients statements on all products containing that particular ingredient.
And they do list it. In light blue, tiny print.
What gets me is that the margarine I buy is Smart Balance. I buy it because right on the package (in bold, all caps) is the word VEGAN. So that’s easy, but putting FISH on the milk is hard? They can’t even turn it into bragging rights? “With Omega-3 from highly refined fish oils!” in a big banner on the package?
And what the hell is up with the calling out “voluntary dietary restrictions” anyhow? I think you can pretty much guarantee that someone who’s not having dairy by choice isn’t going to be buying milk to begin with, but your lacto-vegetarians will, and the the people with fish allergies will and we’re not going to expect there to be fish products in it. Jeebus. You don’t have to say “Warning: This milk contains milk” but “Warning: Here Be Fish Product!” would be really frickin’ nice.