The Produce Moms Podcast
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“The Coconut Coalition of the Americas was founded in order to fight the negative perceptions of coconuts resulting from false reports.” — Traci Kantowski (2:35 – 2:45)
Traci Kantowski represents the Coconut Coalition of the Americas (CCA) and brings more than eighteen years of experience in marketing and communications across corporate and non-profit sectors. She leads the CCA’s outreach efforts, creating educational materials, managing social media communications, and conducting media outreach to correct public misunderstandings about coconuts.
The Coconut Coalition of the Americas
The Coconut Coalition of the Americas is an organization made up of coconut producers, manufacturers, growers, and other stakeholders. Its core mission is to address and correct false or misleading reports that have created unnecessary negative perceptions of coconuts and coconut products. A primary focus for the CCA is advocating for the removal of coconut from the FDA’s list of major food allergens when appropriate.
CCA members also work to share evidence-based information about the nutritional and practical benefits of coconut in its various forms. They highlight coconut water as a hydrating beverage rich in electrolytes and promote coconut oil as a flavorful source of dietary fat that can be used in cooking and for topical care.
What’s So Great About Coconuts?
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a fatty acid known to have antimicrobial properties. Coconuts have been associated with supporting healthy cholesterol levels and may offer benefits for skin and hair when used topically. Coconut water provides a natural source of hydration and electrolytes. While no single food is a cure-all, coconuts can be a valuable part of a balanced diet and a versatile ingredient in both cooking and personal care.
The FDA’s Major Food Allergens List and FALCPA
The FDA identifies the foods that account for the large majority of food-allergic reactions so consumers can make informed choices. In 2004, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) was enacted to improve labeling and help people avoid foods that can trigger severe allergic reactions.
“The biggest thing hurting the produce industry is a perpetual state of consumer confusion. Sometimes, we can’t even get the labeling right to identify food items correctly.” — Lori Taylor (8:14 – 8:42)
Under current labeling rules, coconut has often been categorized alongside tree nuts, which has caused confusion for consumers and manufacturers. Botanically, coconuts differ from many tree nuts and are grouped differently in some classification systems. Because labeling practices have treated coconut as a tree nut in some contexts, products that contain coconut may carry tree nut warnings, which can lead people with tree nut allergies to unnecessarily avoid coconut-containing foods.
This misclassification can have unintended consequences: manufacturers might avoid coconut ingredients to sidestep tree-nut labeling, opting for alternatives such as palm oil, which has different nutritional properties. Meanwhile, many individuals with tree nut allergies can safely consume coconut, and the current labeling approach can prevent them from accessing a nutritious ingredient.
What the CCA is Doing to Update the FALCPA
The CCA is actively working to clarify coconut’s status in the context of allergen labeling. They collaborate with allergen advocacy groups and health professionals to present accurate information and advocate for appropriate regulatory change.
The organization has submitted a citizen petition — referred to as the Allergen Project — asking the FDA to reconsider coconut’s placement on the list of major food allergens. Because the FDA must respond to citizen petitions, this process is one clear route for seeking regulatory review and potential change.
“People with food allergies already have to limit what they can consume. It’s a shame if they have to miss out on the beneficial nutrients available in coconuts.” — Traci Kantowski (12:31 – 12:43)
CCA invites anyone interested in helping correct labeling and consumer confusion to learn more about the Allergen Project and consider supporting efforts that aim to ensure labeling reflects current scientific understanding.
How to get involved
- Join The Produce Moms community on social platforms to continue the discussion and stay updated on episodes and topics.
- Learn more about the Coconut Coalition of the Americas and their Allergen Project by searching for the organization by name and reviewing their materials and petition information.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to The Produce Moms podcast and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps reach more listeners and supports ongoing conversations about food, health, and accurate labeling.
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