New research revealing the depth of consumer confusion about allergen labeling underscores a need for clearer, more consistent labeling about the presence of allergens or the risk of cross-contamination in food and beverages, and bolsters support for stricter labeling regulations and legislation, according to the Food Allergy Research and Education NGO.; "These results suggest that [food allergy] consumers are not aware of PAL policies," which are volunteary in the US, researchers led by Ruchi Gupta, a pediatrician and director of the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine and Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.