Whyriskit.ca
  • Home
  • Learn
    • What is it?
    • Symptoms
    • Treatment
    • Research
  • Manage
    • Auto-Injectors
    • College/University
    • Dining Out
    • Family/Friends
    • Food Labelling
    • High School
    • Partying
    • Travel
    • Work
  • Live
    • Bullying
    • Carrying an Auto-Injector
    • Cross-Contamination
    • Dating
    • Dining Out
    • Reading Labels
    • Partying
    • Public Places
    • School
    • Travel
  • Resources
    • #epi365
    • Ultimate Guidebook
    • High School Challenge
    • Sabrina Shannon Award
    • 31 Tips for Parents
    • Allergy Pals/Allies
    • Youth Workshops
    • Webinars
    • If I Only Knew...Campaign
    • Videos
    • Reaction Registry >
      • Peanut Reaction
      • Tree Nut Reaction
      • Egg Reaction
      • Milk Reaction
      • Seafood Reaction
      • Sesame Reaction
      • Soy Reaction
      • Sulphites Reaction
      • Wheat Reaction
      • Other Reaction
    • E-Magazines & Podcasts
    • Links
  • About
    • Youth Advisory Panel
    • Food Allergy Canada
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Français

Food Labelling

Picture

Food Labelling

It is the responsibility of allergic consumers to always read food labels. However, many difficult questions arise, such as “does may contain really contain?” The fact is, research shows that any food with a precautionary label has the potential to be dangerous for an allergic person. Learn the facts about labelling in Canada and plan ahead so you always have access to safe food. It’s never worth taking a chance with a food that is not properly labelled or has a "may contain" statement.

Keep in Mind

  • What you NEED to watch out for

    1. Precautionary statements (e.g. "may contain") are voluntary statements on the labels of pre-packaged foods that alert consumers with food allergies to the potential presence of the allergen in the food.   If in doubt, do without. For more information on precautionary statements click here.

    2. Spices & Natural Flavourings may not indicate whether a non-priority allergen is included (e.g. undeclared almond flavouring). Call the manufacturer to make sure.

    3. Component Ingredients, or ingredients of ingredients, are not required by law to be listed on a label for non-priority allergens.. Call the manufacturer to clarify.

    4. Alternative Names for common allergens can be tricky. Sometimes the protein of the food is listed rather than the food itself (only for non-priority allergens). Learn about the alternative names for food allergens here.

  • Check one…Check two…Check three
Ingredient lists are not always the easiest thing to read with such small font, two languages and often a crinkled package. Make sure to double check the label before you consume any product. Even if you have eaten it before, it is a good idea to check the label every time, in case manufacturing practices or ingredients have changed.
  • Manufacturers are friendly…Call them!
Unsure about a product?  Get to the bottom of it! It will save you a lot of worry in the long-run knowing if you can eat something or not. Contact food manufacturers and ask if there is the potential for cross-contamination with their product and your allergens. For a list of questions to ask a manufacturer, click here.
  • Product Recalls Can Occur
Product recalls due to undeclared allergens do happen in Canada. The CFIA (Canadian Food & Inspection Agency) monitors and alerts consumers when any of the 10 priority allergens are not declared on a package. Stay in the loop on product recalls through Anaphylaxis Canada’s registry.
​

Did you Know?

  • 42% of allergic teens would eat a food labelled with “may contain” an allergen.
  • Package statements that say “Dairy-Free” or “Non-Dairy” may only refer to lactose, not other milk derivatives. Make sure you read the label every time.
  • Researchers found that 62% of imported chocolate bars from Eastern Europe without a precautionary label actually contained detectable levels of peanut protein. Read more.
  • If you have a reaction to a product which you thought to be safe and labelled properly, you can contact the CFIA who may investigate. Make sure to keep the product and its packaging.
  • An allergen-free claim on certain products may be specific to only one size or format of the brand, and may not apply to all products using the same brand name. Always read the label every time.

Connect with us!

Copyright

Privacy Policy

Email

Web site funded by a donation from TD Securities
© 2016 Food Allergy Canada​
  • Home
  • Learn
    • What is it?
    • Symptoms
    • Treatment
    • Research
  • Manage
    • Auto-Injectors
    • College/University
    • Dining Out
    • Family/Friends
    • Food Labelling
    • High School
    • Partying
    • Travel
    • Work
  • Live
    • Bullying
    • Carrying an Auto-Injector
    • Cross-Contamination
    • Dating
    • Dining Out
    • Reading Labels
    • Partying
    • Public Places
    • School
    • Travel
  • Resources
    • #epi365
    • Ultimate Guidebook
    • High School Challenge
    • Sabrina Shannon Award
    • 31 Tips for Parents
    • Allergy Pals/Allies
    • Youth Workshops
    • Webinars
    • If I Only Knew...Campaign
    • Videos
    • Reaction Registry >
      • Peanut Reaction
      • Tree Nut Reaction
      • Egg Reaction
      • Milk Reaction
      • Seafood Reaction
      • Sesame Reaction
      • Soy Reaction
      • Sulphites Reaction
      • Wheat Reaction
      • Other Reaction
    • E-Magazines & Podcasts
    • Links
  • About
    • Youth Advisory Panel
    • Food Allergy Canada
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Français