# What does "may contain" mean on food labels?

> A "may contain" warning is not the same as an allergen in the ingredient list. Here is the difference and what people with allergies should check.

Published: 31 October 2026 — Allergens, Label reading

"May contain" or "traces of" warnings point to an allergen the manufacturer does not add on purpose but that could end up in the product during production. Allergens in the ingredient list, by contrast, are part of the recipe. Telling the two apart is the foundation of reading a label if you have a food allergy.

## Two different pieces of information

An allergen in the ingredient list is used deliberately and must be declared under food labelling rules. A "may contain" statement points to the possibility of cross-contact with other products made on the same line, and that ingredient is not part of the recipe.

In the European Union this second kind of statement is voluntary and not harmonised. Article 36 of the Food Information Regulation (1169/2011) covers voluntary information about the possible unintentional presence of allergens, but there is no EU-wide rule on when or how to use it. The European Commission is reported to plan an implementing regulation to harmonise it ([Bird & Bird briefing](https://cm.twobirds.com/en/insights/2026/eu-to-harmonise-may-contain-allergen-labels-new-rules-expected-by-q4-2027)). For Turkey, check the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's labelling regulation for the exact rules.

## The 14 allergens that must be declared

The Turkish Food Codex Food Labelling and Consumer Information Regulation lists 14 allergen groups, in line with the EU approach ([Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry](https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Konu/2023/Toplu_Tuketim_Yerlerinde_Alerjen_Bildirimi)):

| Allergen group | Examples |
| --- | --- |
| Cereals containing gluten | Wheat, rye, barley, oats |
| Crustaceans | Shrimp, crab |
| Eggs | Eggs and egg products |
| Fish | Fish and fish products |
| Peanuts | Peanuts and peanut products |
| Soybeans | Soy and soy products |
| Milk | Dairy, including lactose |
| Tree nuts | Almond, hazelnut, walnut, cashew, pistachio |
| Celery | Celery and celery products |
| Mustard | Mustard and mustard products |
| Sesame | Sesame seeds and products |
| Sulphur dioxide and sulphites | Above a set concentration |
| Lupin | Lupin and lupin products |
| Molluscs | Mussels, squid and similar |

For sulphites the threshold is a total sulphur dioxide content above 10 mg per kilogram or litre.

## How it appears on the label

The rules require an allergen to be emphasised in the ingredient list, for example in bold. Some manufacturers add a separate sentence such as "Contains milk". That sentence usually repeats what is in the ingredient list; a "may contain" statement is a separate piece of information.

## Does no warning mean it is safe?

No, it is not a guarantee. Because the warning is voluntary, its absence does not prove cross-contact is impossible. Equally, its presence does not mean the same level of risk across products, since manufacturers can apply different criteria.

## Practical steps if you have an allergy

- Re-read the ingredient list every time you buy a product; recipes and production lines change.
- If you are unsure, contact the manufacturer's customer service.
- Decisions about how strictly to avoid something belong with your doctor; this article is not medical advice.
- Remember that warnings can differ even between products from the same brand.

The label on the pack is the most current information for that pack. Check it each time instead of relying on habit or hearsay.

https://logicfood.app/en/blog/what-does-may-contain-mean/