#250092 - 10/15/07 02:13 PM
labeling question
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oneu2fan
Registered: 09/20/07
Posts: 7
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My 15 mo old son was diagnosed in Sept with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts and eggs.
I know most products list the top 8 allergens. Do they have to list may contain, made on same equipment, made in same factory?
For example, I just bought those new Keebler puff crackers. It doesn't mention about possibly containing nuts, made in the same factory, etc. Do I assume these or safe or should I call the manufacturer?
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#250096 - 10/15/07 02:50 PM
Re: labeling question
[Re: oneu2fan]
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PeanutFreeInMD
Registered: 04/23/07
Posts: 138
Loc: Maryland USA
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No, they are not required to advisory label. Personally, I still call companies all the time. It's also a good idea to have the product in front of you while doing so. I recently called Hostess from the grocery store to verify their cupcakes were safe as another allergy Mom had put them on a "safe" (ugh) list for school. Here, the numbers from the box told them which factory they were made and there was a possible tree-nut cross-contamination risk which they don't label for!!!
_________________________
DS(age 6): Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies
DD(age 3): NKA
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#250163 - 10/17/07 12:12 PM
Re: labeling question
[Re: oneu2fan]
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2BusyBoys
Registered: 09/03/04
Posts: 1100
Loc: http://allergy.h yp e r b o a ...
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The answers to many labeling questions can be found here...
Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, including the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/alrguid4.html
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#253621 - 02/17/08 10:42 AM
Re: labeling question
[Re: oneu2fan]
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Janet76
Registered: 02/13/08
Posts: 52
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Hi, I live in Ontario and I was under the impression that it was now law to state on the package what the food has come in contact with.
Maybe this isnt the case, but I assume that if it is not written - May contain - then its safe?
Am I wrong too? Or is it just not a requirement in the States to label the possible may contains?
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#253625 - 02/17/08 12:33 PM
Re: labeling question
[Re: Janet76]
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SkyMom
Registered: 10/27/01
Posts: 459
Loc: Canada
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Hi Janet76, yes in Ontario it is required that any food that has the top allergens or may contain etc. must be noted on the label. However, in saying that there are often food alerts given about foods that weren't declared allergenic on the label but in fact are. In my experience this is usually from foreign (overseas) manufacturers. When a previously allergen free product changes how its produced, it may show no allergens at one purchase and then change before the next. Therefore, this is where checking labels every time comes into place. My dd is not allowed to eat foods manufactured in other countries. This is with our family anyway. Are you registered with Anaphylaxis Canada? They have email alerts that they send out with all such food alerts/recalls.
Edited by SkyMom (02/17/08 12:35 PM)
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#253626 - 02/17/08 01:57 PM
Re: labeling question
[Re: SkyMom]
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I Care
Registered: 10/13/02
Posts: 45
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In Ontario, I don't feel this to be true, what you posted SkyMom. I'm speaking about store/no name products and I'm also speaking about products that are imported from the United States, which are quite common.
Could you please clarify if you mean Canadian name brand products such as Kraft/Nabisco/Mr. Christie's, etc. because otherwise, I do disagree.
For manufacturer information, both Canadian and American, you can get links at http://www.nuconnexions.com and e-mail each company you have a question for.
If there is a Canadian or Ontario specific law about Canadian and/or Ontario specifically produced foods (again, name brand, Canadian), could you please provide us with the link SkyMom to that law?
With the caution that this only applies to Canadian or Ontario made food and not to food that we eat that is very often imported from the U.S.
Do you allow your daughter to eat food that is made in America?
Sorry, I'm simply worried about the wording of your post. I see store brand/no name products each day that depending on the grocery store chain may or may not be labeled properly even though they are made in Canada. I'm also concerned because I know a lot of the food I buy is imported from America.
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#253628 - 02/17/08 03:20 PM
Re: labeling question
[Re: I Care]
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SkyMom
Registered: 10/27/01
Posts: 459
Loc: Canada
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As requested from the Canadian Food Inspection agency, allergen labelling is a requirement. I will provide further written clarification as I receive it.
cfia
Edited by SkyMom (02/17/08 04:22 PM)
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#253652 - 02/18/08 09:29 PM
Re: labeling question
[Re: SkyMom]
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I Care
Registered: 10/13/02
Posts: 45
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SkyMom, it would be great to receive answers to my specific questions directed to you in my post above. I am extremely concerned about what you posted as I do not believe it to be true for all products that the member in Ontario might be thinking of purchasing and that's why I wanted clarification. For her, not myself.
So, I do look forward to your answers. Broadsweeping generalizations, even if you believe them to be true, can be very dangerous, as you well know.
A product coming in from America to Canada - is it re-labeled? I am thinking Old El Paso. I have yet to see a "may contain" on any of their products. Yes, they are re-labeled as far as making the product bi-lingual, but I am not clear that they are re-labeled for allergy information.
Also, in the past, Pillsbury was a great offender at not labeling properly. In the past. Great. It also differed greatly whether it was a Pillsbury Canada or Pillsbury U.S. product and you really have to look closely to find that information sometimes.
So, I really do feel that your post needs clarification for the safety of the member in Ontario who directed the question towards you.
I also do not believe it to be true of all store/no name brands although they are certainly getting much better (thinking of President's Choice and how they are going "peanut free" with a lot of their things).
I look forward to your response, as I'm sure the other Ontario member does as well.
Thank-you.
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#253658 - 02/19/08 09:55 AM
Re: labeling question
[Re: I Care]
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SkyMom
Registered: 10/27/01
Posts: 459
Loc: Canada
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In response, I included the regulations link as a link to said information was asked for. Yes, my dd eats food imported from the United States. However, most of her food is made in Canada. As she has only had her initial reaction nine years ago I feel fine with the choices that we have made. Her level is 4++ and over 100 on the rast, to note she is very sensitive to pn. As far as the specific imported foods and name brand items we have never had an issue with these ever. If it is not labelled as a may contain or an actual ingredient my dd has ate the said food with no problems. A letter is sent from the cfia to all companies who import food to Canada informing them of their required labelling. Are you in Canada Icare? Perhaps if you or your child hav had a reaction to the undeclared food could you please elaborate? I simply went by our personal experience and what the cfia has enforced.
Edited by SkyMom (02/19/08 09:56 AM)
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#253660 - 02/19/08 11:36 AM
Re: labeling question
[Re: SkyMom]
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kandebuttahfly
Registered: 12/27/07
Posts: 93
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another labeling ?...
okay, lets say i have 2 different brands of a product. one product is labeled only for contains, the other is labeled for contains and processed on's. assuming the allergen isnt listed on either, do you consider both safe? do you call the one that doesnt list shared equip? what about the one that lists processed on? do you assume that is safe as they have thoroughly labeled contains, may contains and processed on???
also, many labels that i have seen dont even have the allergy warning for the top 8... why is that?
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