Allergens

Food allergy or food intolerance?

According to recent studies, about 4% of the adult population and 6-8% of children in the United States has a food allergy. Allergies can develop at any time of life - even to foods that have been eaten before without problems. Even more people suffer from food intolerance.

Avoidance of foods containing the allergen is the only proven treatment for allergies. This can make food shopping and meal planning a monumental task.

We want to make it easier for you.
  • Allergen statements on our Giant brand products. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), requires food labels to indicate if the product contains any of the "Big 8" allergens (wheat, soy, milk, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs). In addition, Giant brand products list gluten if it is present in the food or could be present due to cross-contamination.
  • Our toll-free number. Our customer service representatives are happy to research your allergen questions. Contact us online or at 1-877-846-9949. Please include the name of the product and the UPC number of the Giant brand food you are questioning.
  • Click here for assistance in finding gluten-free Giant brand products when you shop.
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Gluten Intolerance

Gluten intolerance is associated with the disease called gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac disease. It is caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein in certain grain foods (wheat, rye, barley and oats). However, it is not a food allergy.

Gluten intolerance is characterized by damage to the lining of the small intestine. Symptoms include diarrhea, steatorrhea (excess amount of fat in the stools) and weight loss.

Treatment of gluten intolerance requires strict elimination of gluten from the diet. Corn and rice are tolerated and need to be used in place of wheat, rye, oats or barley.

Here is a Quick Start Diet Guide from the Celiac Disease Foundation and the Gluten Intolerance Group to help you better understand the gluten-free diet

Nut allergies

In children, the most common food allergens include eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, and tree nuts. Adults usually do not lose their allergies, but children can sometimes outgrow them. Children are more likely to outgrow allergies to milk or soy than allergies to peanuts.