Food Allergen Cross-Contact Risk Calculator
Assess cross-contact risk from shared equipment, cleaning methods, and allergen controls.
Inputs
Results
Overall Risk Score (0-10)
4.9
Risk Category
High
Equipment Risk Score6
Cleaning Risk Score4
Changeover Risk Score6
Recommended Actions4
'May Contain' Label NeededYes
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the number of shared equipment/surface pieces and FDA major allergens present in the facility.
- Select the cleaning method (rinse only, wash and sanitize, or validated allergen clean).
- Enter changeovers per shift and select labeling control level.
- The calculator shows overall risk score (0–10), risk category, sub-scores for equipment, cleaning, and changeovers, recommended actions, and whether a 'May Contain' label is needed.
- Implement the recommended actions and consider a validated allergen cleaning protocol to reduce risk score.
How the result changes with Shared Equipment/Surfaces
| Shared Equipment/Surfaces | Overall Risk Score (0-10) | Risk Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4.4 | High |
| 7 | 5.9 | High |
| 13 | 5.9 | High |
| 18 | 5.9 | High |
What each input means
- Shared Equipment/Surfaces
- Number of equipment pieces shared between allergen and non-allergen products.
- Major Allergens Present
- Number of FDA major allergens in the facility (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame).
- Cleaning Method
- Select the cleaning method
- Changeovers per Shift
- Number of product changeovers per production shift.
- Labeling Controls
- Select the labeling controls
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersShared Equipment/Surfaces = 3, Major Allergens Present = 3, Cleaning Method = 2, Changeovers per Shift = 4 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Overall Risk ScoreOverall Risk Score4.9 = 4.9
- Calculate Risk CategoryHigh = High
- Calculate Equipment Risk ScoreEquipment Risk Score6 = 6
- Calculate Cleaning Risk Score4 = 4
Related Calculators
The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.
Food Safety
Sanitizer Concentration Calculator
Calculate PPM dilution ratios for chlorine, quat, and iodine sanitizers per FDA Food Code.
Food SafetyHACCP Critical Limit Calculator
Evaluate time/temperature critical limits for different food types per FDA Food Code.
Food SafetyCook-Chill Production Calculator
Calculate batch sizing, blast chilling cycles, and production timelines for cook-chill operations.
More in Safety, Compliance & Emergency.