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.

• 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 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 (e.g. ingredient such as worcestershire sauce may not say that it contains anchovies). 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. For example “casein” and “whey” may be listed, and both are proteins to which a milk allergic person could react. Learn about the alternative names for food allergens here.

NOTE: 2, 3, and 4 are currently being addressed by Health Canada in the proposed labelling amendments. Read more about this legislation.

• 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.

• 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.