If you suffer from food allergies, you know the importance of reading labels. Thankfully, over the past few years, food labels have made it a littler easier to spot common allergens, like milk, egg, nuts, wheat, soy, and peanuts. Follow these tips to avoid eating common food allergens:

• Some allergens, like the ones we've listed above, are considered common food allergens. If you have a common food allergy, it has to be listed on the label at least once.
• Keep a look out for items made from common allergens. The ingredient list could say milk, non-fat milk, whey, or casein. All those ingredients are derived from milk and could cause a reaction if you have a milk allergy.
• The packaging could say "may contain." In that case, the food may have come in contact with a certain allergen but was not necessarily made with said allergen. Putting "may contain" on the label is voluntary, so it's still important to check the ingredient list.
• Sometimes manufacturers change the ingredients used in a product. It's very important to actively check the packaging if your allergy is severe. 

· Have Food Allergies? Read the Label [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]