Food Allergens

In Canada, the nine Priority Food Allergens are peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts (filberts), macadamia nuts, pecans, pinenuts, pistachios, walnuts), sesame seeds, milk, eggs, fish (including crustaceans (e.g. crab, crayfish, lobster, shrimp) and shellfish (e.g. clams, mussels, oysters, scallops), soy, wheat and sulphites. These Priority Allergens have been shown to account for more than 90% of severe adverse reactions related to food allergens. [more...]

• Food Recalls / Allergy Alerts

The CFIA enforces Canada’s labelling laws and works with associations, distributors, food manufacturers and importers to ensure complete and appropriate labelling of all foods. The CFIA recommends that food companies establish effective allergen controls to minimize the potential for allergic reactions. When the CFIA becomes aware of a potential serious hazard associated with a food, such as undeclared allergens, the CFIA investigates and takes all appropriate action to protect consumers, which may include a recall of the food product.

Consumers with food allergies should see an allergist and educate themselves about their food allergies, including the different names that an allergen can be listed as on food labels. For example, "casein", which is a milk ingredient, may appear in an ingredient list.