eli5: There are labels on certain products saying “x product was produced in the same factory as y product” where y product contains an allergen. Why does it matter that both products were made in the same factory?

Question

eli5: There are labels on certain products saying “x product was produced in the same factory as y product” where y product contains an allergen. Why does it matter that both products were made in the same factory?

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Answer 1

Some people’s food allergies are extremely sensitive. Dust or microscopic particles can move through the air from one machine to another. If you can walk into the factory and smell what they are making, then particles are in the air.

If a manufacturer labels their food as “peanut-free” but the next line over is making peanut butter, there are probably peanut parts/dust getting into the “peanut-free” product.