Coconut Removed from Allergen List: How Does This Change Production Sequencing?

FDA has now removed coconut from the declared allergens requirement. It still needs to be listed in ingredient statements but removed from the allergen declaration. My question is how does this correlate into manufacturing? Can I run a vegan product with coconut milk before a dairy whole milk product? 

Before we would not do this sequence but now? Do we just need a hot water flush after coconut based product before moving on? 

FDA has now removed coconut from the declared allergens requirement. It still needs to be listed in ingredient statements but removed from the allergen declaration. My question is how does this correlate into manufacturing? Can I run a vegan product with coconut milk before a dairy whole milk product? 

 

Before we would not do this sequence but now? Do we just need a hot water flush after coconut based product before moving on? 

Yes, you are correct with your thinking. 

It was never a part of the 9 major (Eggs, Fish, Milk, Peanuts, Shellfish, Soy, Tree Nuts, Wheat, Sesame) allergens. 

It was never a part of the 9 major (Eggs, Fish, Milk, Peanuts, Shellfish, Soy, Tree Nuts, Wheat, Sesame) allergens. 

I thought they used to class it as a tree nut?  Not that it was.  

Frequently Asked Questions: Food Allergen Labeling Guidance for Industry | FDA

"several tree nuts, including coconut, are no longer considered major food allergens and do not appear on the list of major food allergens in the revised 5th edition of the Food Allergen Q&A Guidance."

GMO is correct, it used to be considered a tree nut by FDA.  Erroneous from the start, IMO, and a welcome change in policy in January of this year.

To the OP, I'd be comfortable with what you're describing in the sequencing so long as the hot water flush doesn't leave any warmed pockets of leftovers from the prior run to become breeding grounds inside the equipment.

It was never a part of the 9 major (Eggs, Fish, Milk, Peanuts, Shellfish, Soy, Tree Nuts, Wheat, Sesame) allergens. 

It was a part of the Tree Nut classification - i remember having an almost knock down drag out fight at a cocktail mix company over this one with an FDA agent finally chiming in to say that yes, it was a tree nut classified allergen.

Sure glad this has been removed.