Are pharmaceuticals considered an allergen?

Hello all,

I was wondering if pharmaceuticals are considered an allergen in the sqf 2000 system. I work for a freight forwarder and was wondering since we get so many different products in that it was a question that seemed like no one could ansewer. If they are considered an allergen, then should they be stored in a different area since they are packaged in a "ready to sell" state?

Dear retep,

Some pharmaceutical products may hv allergenic potential,yes, eg -

http://www.merckmanu...s_to_drugs.html

AFAIK, SQF is only related to "food" items per se ? (I appreciate the distinction can be blurred).

Freight movement not my area but I expect the answer to yr question comes back (both ways) to (declared?) safety risk assessment for specific classes of goods. It seems intuitively unlikely to me that cases of aspirin are shippable in close proximity to sacks of flour for example, irrespective of any allergenic considerations.

Rgds / Charles.C

I would say yes, if advisory labeling (including allergen?) is enforced (but perhaps it depends on your state and regulatory requirements). I think in US, you have the Food Act and the Biosafety Act. I suggest you check them. If it is covered by said acts, then it has to be followed, and therefore, no question of storing it in appropriate area (especially if the label itself said so)