Allergy Labelling Laws

From Allergic Living
Ottawa Moves on Allergy Labelling Law

News from Allergic Living magazineHealth Minister Tony Clement today announced that legislation will be moving forward requiring the food industry to label – clearly and plainly – any priority allergens among the ingredients listed on food packages.

The announcement follows a campaign in which almost 4,000 individual Canadians e-mailed a form letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper requesting that these important regulations, long delayed, be passed into law. The staff at Allergic Living magazine extend our sincere thanks to all of you who took the time to send that letter, posted at Allergicliving.com. Clearly, your voices have been heard, and this grassroots campaign – involving individuals from St. John’s to Victoria – has proved a success.

Dr. Charles Frankish, president of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, was on hand for the announcement in Ottawa today. The CSACI, Anaphylaxis Canada, the AAIA, the AQAA and the Canadian Celiac Association, have been instrumental in the development and lobbying efforts for the new labelling regulations. Last month, these organizations sent a group letter to the prime minister, urging the regulations finally be passed after years of discussion.

Thankfully, their entreaties and yours have been heard. The regulations still have to pass a couple of regulatory stages to become law. But the Health Minister clearly signaled the government’s intent to pass the labelling legislation and to increase the level of food safety for Canadians with food allergies and celiac disease. Health Canada is asking food companies to start complying with the new regulations as soon as possible. See the government’s media release.

At Allergic Living, we are committed to the goal of reasonable accommodations for the growing population of people living with allergies and asthma. The success of this campaign shows the strength of our community when it works together. We look forward to working with all of you on other important initiatives.

Sincerely,
The Staff of Allergic Living magazine

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