Talking Allergies

Best wishes on your campaign! Being in the USA, I can't personally sign, but hope that with every better legislative move towards better food labeling laws, the USA would follow suit. Pres. Obama does support better labeling where "Natural" and "preservatives" are concerned, but don't know if that finally passed or not.

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Asthma, SHF, GF, EF, Allergic: Meat, Poultry, Laurel, Mustard, Gras, Mallow, Plantain, Flacourtia, Pine family; ETOH, Vinegars, CremeTartar, Cucumbrs, Fenugrk, Most of Lily, Myrtle, Parsley, Nightshade, Composite familys. Pomgrante, Litchi, Starfrt

Thanks for the encouragement A_V, and welcome to our Forum.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

OK, I agree with Kate and BC2007, so the goal is now 4,000 - and we keep that momentum going!

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Checking out for the evening, with our tally at 2,775.

Don't forget folks, if anyone wants to share the personal comments they added to their letter to the prime minister, feel free to do so in this thread.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

We passed the milestone of 3,000. Wonderful.

to all you supporters. That 4,000 is within site!

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Rosie Schwartz, dietitian and health columnist for MSN, writes up the Clear Label Campaign in a col. called "3 Ways Health Canada is Falling Asleep at the Wheel".

She makes a strong case:


On allergen, gluten labels:



http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com/health-fitn ... d=26586024

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

3407!!! That is amazing, I can't believe how the number has jumped in just a few days.

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DD 12 yrs -no allergies
4 yr old DS - asthma/eczema Anaphylactic to Peanuts, all tree nuts, sesame , all pea/lentil legumes, gelatin.
Allergic to trees, grass,ragweed, feathers, dander, mold and dust.
Outgrew eggs, fish, shellfish

True!

FYI, others who'd like to check up on the tally, our campaign "thermometer" is rising at this link:
http://www.allergicliving.com/petitions/food-labelling/

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Anaphylaxis Canada is also urging calls to the Health Minister's office on the Clear Label Campaign.
Call the Health Minister's office directly at 1-613-957-0200, and let her staff know:

* Clear and accurate and food labels are critical to keep those living with allergies or celiac safe.
* Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq needs to do her part and take action today on the new regulations - which are ready to pass!

As noted in AnaCan's e-blast:



I've heard "as soon as possible" 2006 - so pick up the phone, folks.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Over 3,600 letters - c'mon 4,000.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

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Moderator
Daughter: asthma, allergies to egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, most legumes (not soy) & penicillin. Developing hayfever type allergies.
Husband: no allergies
Me: allergies to some tree that flowers in May
Cat: allergic to beef, pork and lamb

Hi All,

We're approaching 3700 letters which is fantastic. However, I unfortunately got news from my MP (Francis Scarpaleggia) this morning that things are NOT looking good for the regs. He said:



I appreciate his honesty and it reinforces the fact that we need to get in as many letters AND phone calls to the Health Minister right away. The gov't needs to know we won't let this issue fall to the back-burner again. It's not a nice idea....it's a necessity.

Please, if you've already sent in your letter, call. Then spread the word to everyone you know to do the same. Using our write-in campaign is fast and easy and takes less than 5 minutes of someone's time.

Thanks for all your support. Let's keep it going!

Lisa

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Associate Editor at Allergic Living.
Allergies to all nuts and legumes except soy and green beans.

Call everyone, call!

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Moderator
Daughter: asthma, allergies to egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, most legumes (not soy) & penicillin. Developing hayfever type allergies.
Husband: no allergies
Me: allergies to some tree that flowers in May
Cat: allergic to beef, pork and lamb

I have called the health office twice now. Today the receptionist tried to forward me to another dept. which would "give me more information." I asked which dept and he responded the CFIA and I said no I don't want the number it is the minister and the government who will give me the answer I am looking for because they have the power to finalize this. The next time I call I will ask to speak to someone in the minister's office other than the receptionist who is just taking messages (and likely throwing them in the garbage.) I am not in the best of humour this week so I am ready to be pushy!!!

Health Canada was the top news story last night on CBC The National regarding their lack of action on tobacco labelling. CBC believes that the ministry has caved to the tobacco lobby and is not changing the warning labels on cigarettes. It makes me wonder if the food industry is in part behind the label changes that we want. I have no idea. Could they be a force in the delay of the regulations? Does anyone know? I know that there are many benefits to the industry to improving labelling but it seems that sometimes big companies are resistant to change.

It is so frustrating to be this close to change and for it all to fall apart.

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11 year old daughter -- lives with life-threatening allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts; seasonal allergies (birch, maple, ragweed); pet allergies; asthma; and eczema
9 year old son - no allergies

I just sent a comment to CBC The National regarding the lack of leadership at Health Canada in regards to their story last night (tobacco labelling) and the allergen labelling issue. I explained the need for the food labelling changes and told them about the stalled regulations awaiting final approval with an end of year deadline. Who is looking out for the health of Canadians at Health Canada? Who knows maybe they will cover our story. It's worth a try.

Here is the link to their feedback line in case anyone else wants to send a further comment.

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/about/contact/

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11 year old daughter -- lives with life-threatening allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts; seasonal allergies (birch, maple, ragweed); pet allergies; asthma; and eczema
9 year old son - no allergies