If a label says May contain wheat what exactly does that mean How would they not be sure?

"May contain wheat" labeling is used in the food industry to indicate the potential presence of wheat or wheat-derived ingredients in a product. This labeling is required by regulatory bodies in many countries to inform consumers about potential allergens.

There are a few reasons why a food product may be labeled as "may contain wheat" even if the manufacturer is not 100% certain that wheat is present:

Cross-contamination: During production, processing, or packaging, there is a risk of cross-contamination between different food products. For example, if a food processing facility handles both wheat-containing and wheat-free products, there is a chance that wheat particles could accidentally get into the wheat-free product during production.

Shared equipment or utensils: If the same equipment or utensils are used to produce both wheat-containing and wheat-free products, there is a risk of wheat residue being transferred from one product to the other.

Ingredient sourcing: Food manufacturers may source ingredients from multiple suppliers. If one of the suppliers inadvertently provides a wheat-containing ingredient that is not declared on the product label, this could lead to the "may contain wheat" label being applied.

Trace amounts of wheat: In some cases, a product may be labeled as "may contain wheat" if it contains trace amounts of wheat that are below the threshold for mandatory allergen declaration.

Strict allergen management protocols: Some food manufacturers adopt stringent allergen management practices and apply the "may contain wheat" label as a precautionary measure to mitigate the risk of potential allergen exposure.

By using the "may contain wheat" label, food manufacturers can alert consumers to the potential presence of wheat and allow them to make informed decisions about whether to purchase or consume the product. It is also an important tool for individuals with wheat allergies or intolerances to avoid consuming products that could pose a health risk.