Food > Labelling > Allergens 

UNDECLARED ALLERGENS IN FOOD

Food allergies continue to be a concern for government, consumers and the food industry. Allergic reactions to foods can range from minor to life-threatening, and even death. Despite extensive efforts by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and industry associations to improve industry allergen controls, there continues to be a large number of recalls due to the presence of undeclared allergens in foods as indicated in the chart for allergen related recalls for fiscal 2003-04.

As an establishment that manufactures or handles food, you are reminded that you are legally responsible for ensuring that all food products imported, sold or distributed by you meet the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations, including those related to ingredient labelling. The CFIA will take appropriate enforcement action for products found not to be in compliance with Canada's laws.

The CFIA recommends that you ensure complete and appropriate labelling of all foods and establish effective allergen controls to minimize the potential for allergic reactions resulting from the consumption or use of your food products. The 8 common allergens, their protein containing derivatives, gluten and sulphite are required to be included in the ingredient list on your labels when present as ingredients or components. If you find a product that represents an allergen risk, you should take appropriate actions, including recall, to eliminate the potential risk to allergic consumers. The CFIA also encourages you to voluntarily declare in the ingredient list all allergens, gluten sources and sulphite contained in the food, even when a regulatory exemption exists.

For more information on the labelling requirements for food sold in Canada, please contact the CFIA office nearest you, or refer to the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising, available on our website. More information concerning Canada's priority allergens, is also available on our website.

For more information on Health Canada's proposed enhanced labelling regulations please visit Health Canada's website.

Yours sincerely,

(Original signed by)

Greg Orriss
Director
Bureau of Food Safety and Consumer Protection

November 15, 2004