Specifically, the FDA seeks to define what constitutes “an allergic response that poses a risk to human health,” and identify which food allergies are most prevalent and the size of the at-risk population.

The agency will also investigate what data exist that could inform future regulation on allergen thresholds.

According to the FDA, identifying such thresholds will help the agency determine how best to respond when undeclared allergens are found in food or unintentional allergen contamination occurs, as well as better evaluate petitions for allergen labeling exceptions.

The public can submit comments on safe food allergen threshold levels through February 7, 2013, at http://www.regulations.gov by using the keyword “docket number FDA-2012-N-0711.”