Abstract
Objective: To verify the adequacy and inadequacy of the labeling of processed foods for children aged between six months and three years, according to the current legislation for food allergies. Methods: This is an observational and descriptive study that randomly included 67 processed foods, categorized into dairy products, cereals, baby foods/mucilages and drinks infantile. Data collection included a check list form for the classification as adequate or inadequate, according to the warnings and requirements established in the legislation. Results: Of the 67 foods evaluated, 7 (10.4%) of them had some kind of irregularity in the labeling. Of the 4 categories, cereals and beverages showed 100% adequacy of labels in relation to current legislation for allergy sufferers. Dairy foods showed 95.4% of adequate labels and 4.5% of inadequate, while baby foods/mucilages presented 58.3% of adequacy and 46.1% of inadequacy, due to the absence of warning and mandatory requirements. Conclusion: Dairy foods and infant / mucilage porridge presented inadequate labeling to the current legislation, which can cause damage to the health of allergic children and put at risk of food and nutritional security of this vulnerable group.