Food labelling issues and variations in allergen management practices within the food industry have limited safe food options and contributed to a lack of consumer confidence in being able to assess the true risk associated with precautionary allergen labelling (“may contain” statements).
Also, one-third of anaphylactic reactions in children are attributed to food labelling-related issues.
Since 2001, we successfully advocated for improved food allergen labelling regulations that require manufacturers to provide easier access to ingredient information, including the listing of priority food allergens in plain and simple language (e.g., milk instead of casein)
Yet there is confusion around “may contain” statements. Canadians managing food allergy need a safe eating strategy and easy-to-access ingredient information to make informed and safe food choices.
