Under FDA labeling rules adopted into California Retail Food Code §114091 practice, which of the following lists the 9 MAJOR FOOD ALLERGENS that must be controlled to prevent cross-contact?

Explanation

As of January 1, 2023, sesame became the 9th federally recognized major food allergen under the FASTER Act, expanding the Big 8 to the BIG 9. The complete list adopted into California Retail Food Code practice under §114091 is: (1) milk, (2) eggs, (3) fish, (4) Crustacean shellfish, (5) tree nuts, (6) peanuts, (7) wheat, (8) soybeans, (9) sesame. Option A incorrectly includes 'gluten' (gluten is a wheat protein, already covered under wheat) and corn (not a federally recognized major allergen). Option B incorrectly includes mustard (mustard is a major allergen in Canada and the EU but not in the U.S.). Option D incorrectly includes sulfites (sulfites are required to be declared but are a chemical preservative, not a protein allergen, and they appear under a separate FDA labeling rule). Knowing the exact 9 matters because each must be (a) declared on packaged foods, (b) disclosed to customers on request, and (c) controlled in prep through dedicated utensils, surfaces, and time/space separation.