Talking Allergies

Drum roll....

The Allergen/Gluten Regs are now ... THE LAW!!!

The new label laws will have clearer labels for what the companies put into the product but not for the may contains.

We still have a ways to go.

Hi Rona, You may remember me, we met at the Emergency Services Protection Picnic in Stony Plain a couple of years ago. We discussed anaphylaxis in Alberta schools, it was shortly after you had been diagnosed with a bee sting allergy.
My daughter has a life-threatening allergy to eggs. As I am sure you are aware, there are regulations sitting in Ottawa as we speak that will greatly help keep her and others in Canada with food allergies as well as people with celiac disease safe. Please don't let industry take precidence over our loved ones lives. Unlike Ontario, Alberta does not have "Sabrina's Law" to help keep children safe at school and the more obstacles out of our way to do that the better.

I would also like to direct your attention to the Allergic Living magazine. Since you have a life-threatening allergy, you will certainly find it interesting and helpful not only as my member of parliment in Ottawa as well as on a personal note. My family finds it both.

Thank you for taking the time to write to me regarding food labelling regulations. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

I appreciate your point that it can be difficult for individuals with serious food allegies and annaphylaxis to avoid specific foods and ingredients that could make them sick.

You can be assured that our Conservative government is working to improve the lives of Canadians dealing with food alleries and anaphylaxis. To this end, our government has proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) which aim to minimize the risks associated with inadvertent consumption of undeclared priority alloergens, and to maximize the choice of safe and nutritious foods for those with dietary restrictions.

The process to develop these regulations has been extremely complex requiring extensive scientific review and consultations with the food industry and communities with allergies and food intolererances. For these reasons, the development of these amendments to the FDR has taken longer than opriginally anticipated.

Our government has placed a high priority on the "Enhanced Labelling for Food Allergen and Gluton Sources and Added Sulfhites" regulatory amendments and we continue to work to ensure that final amendments are published in the Canada Gazette Part ll as soon as possible.

It may also interest you to know that our Goverment recognizes that respiratory conditions, including asthma, allergies, and anaphylaxis are important public health issues. That is why our Conservative Government is investing $10 million over three years in the Lung Health Program to reduce the impact and potential risks from the environment on lung health, and to improve the awareness of prevention, early detection, and management of lung diseases.

I hope this information is helpful. Thank you for taking the time to write.

To this end, our government has proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) which aim to minimize the risks associated with inadvertent consumption of undeclared priority allergens, and to maximize the choice of safe and nutritious foods for those with dietary restrictions.

It is not Health Canada's intent that these regulatory amendments will apply to food allergens or gluten that may be present in a prepackaged product as a result of cross-contamination.

If the laws do not include May Contains on labels then I can 'vote' with my wallet by supporting the companies that do it.

Canadian Allergy society pleased with food labeling changes
http://www.potatopro.com/Lists/News/Dis ... px?ID=4950
This is a good article...but....what really got my attention is the lower right hand corner under more news on allergens. What a long list!