Peanut-free...sort of

This morning I read CBCNews article reporting food allergy labelling and how it isn't always accurate. According to the article, around 2% of products that do not have a 'may contain' warning on them actually do contain an allergen. The offending products tended to come from smaller food companies, as was the result of a study being presented next week at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's annual meeting, in Washington, D.C.

Of supermarket-sourced, randomly selected food products that had such labeling, 5.3 per cent had detectable levels of one of three allergens: egg, milk or peanut. Among products tested that did not carry "may contain"-type labeling, 1.9 per cent had detectable levels of one of the allergens. In all, 399 products were tested.

"If you're a patient with a food allergy, it's probably best to stick with the larger companies," said Dr. David Resnick, director of allergy and immunology at a New York City hospital. "If you are buying food from a smaller company and have a serious allergy like a peanut allergy, you have to be really cautious"

The CBCNews article is American based, so how does this compare to the situation here in Canada? I did my research, and I'd say it's likely very similar! It is currently mandated by Health Canada that most prepackaged foods sold in Canada contain a Nutrition Facts Panel and complete Ingredient List, but components of certain ingredients are exempt from declaration. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does have the ability to recall food exempt from labelling requirements if a health risk is identified, but for someone with a sensitive allergy that a 'too little, too late' approach to a life threatening health issue!

So what's being done about this? In July 2008, Health Canada did announce proposed new labelling for food allergens. Strengthened labelling regulations which are aimed at reducing the number of food recalls & allergic reactions, will provide manufacturers with "clear labelling rules for allergens to be followed in a systematic and consistent manner".

The improved regulations would require that manufacturers declare all food allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites on labels of prepackaged foods. The regulations would also detail exactly how these allergens, glutens and sulphites are to be listed on food labels.

I was unable to determine through my internet search if this proposal has been followed up since being announced last July, which leads me to believe it probably hasn't. I myself don't have any food allergies but I can imagine that living with them everyday is an exceptionally challenging task. Being faced with limitations on which restaurants you can dine in, and having to remind relatives & friends when invited over for meals would be frustrating. I really wish that the Gov't would recognize this and at make clearer labelling on packages mandatory to provide a greater sense of security! There really is no reason not to!