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<channel><title><![CDATA[Celiac Disease & Gluten-free Diet Information at Celiac.com - Comments for article: Canadian Beer Industry Froths Over Allergy Label Rules]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com</link><description /><language>en-us</language><copyright><![CDATA[http://www.celiac.com]]></copyright><generator>N/A</generator><webMaster>scott@celiac.com</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Fri, 24 May 2013 11:17:28 PDT</lastBuildDate><ttl>20</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #1]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/22437/1/Canadian-Beer-Industry-Froths-Over-Allergy-Label-Rules/Page1.html#Comment8129</link><description><![CDATA[I may have to go live in Canada. Can't get the U.S. to change it's labeling laws to include rye and barley!!!!<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Hallie at 10:15 am, Thu 3rd Feb 2011)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Hallie)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:15:01 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/22437/1/Canadian-Beer-Industry-Froths-Over-Allergy-Label-Rules/Page1.html#Comment8129</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #2]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/22437/1/Canadian-Beer-Industry-Froths-Over-Allergy-Label-Rules/Page1.html#Comment8134</link><description><![CDATA[Thank you Jefferson  for your article on this very important issue that affects over 2.8 million Canadians with allergies and celiac disease. For the past 2 weeks the beer industry in Canada has been very vocal in its criticism of Health Canada’s proposed new labeling regulations of foods and beverages. These regulations have been in development and consultation with numerous stakeholders since 1993 and were planned to be enacted in early 2011. It would require the major allergens, gluten sources and sulphites  to be declared on the ingredient label of  foods and beverages. The beer industry is trying to make this a story about beer and barley and derail the government from passing these essential regulations. Individuals with allergies and celiac disease absolutely need to know what ingredients are added to everything they consume for their health and safety.  

I would like to clarify some information in your article and provide further background information: 

1.       Health Canada conducted numerous consultations with stakeholders including the food and beverage industry, health professionals, patient and consumer groups before and after the proposed regulations were posted in Part 1 of the Canada Gazette in July 2008. As a result they have made further changes to the regulations. Manufacturers will no longer have to state “Allergy and Intolerance Information: Contains:”. Instead they will only have to declare the words “Contains:” 
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/label-etiquet/allergen/proj1220-modifications-eng.php

2.This statement is not quite accurate: “The proposed rules are part of a larger set of regulatory changes Health Canada is seeking to make it easier for people with allergies to identify potential allergens in food ingredients”.  Should read that… easier for people with allergies and celiac disease to identify allergens, gluten sources and sulphites in foods and beverages. 

3. The beer, wine and distilled spirit industry in the US have been required to declare sulphites on the label since 1987 and this is one of the proposed changes in Canada. In addition, allergens used in beer manufacturing  including fining agents (such as isinglass made from the bladders of fish), milk or eggs would also need to be disclosed. 

 

4.This statement needs a response : "These people are very well educated," said Andre Fortin, a spokesman for the Brewers Association of Canada, whose members produce 97 per cent of the beer brewed in Canada. "If a Canadian doctor diagnoses you with celiac disease, you're going to know that beer is not ideal for your system."    Not everyone knows that beer contains barley or wheat. Most MD’s usually do not give advice about the gluten-free diet due to lack of time and expertise about this very complex diet. Also many patients are not referred to a dietitian for comprehensive education about the diet. And not all those with celiac disease belong to a celiac support group. So the declaration of  allergens, gluten sources and sulphites on the ingredient label is critical so that consumers can determine whether a product is safe to consume.

 

5. The beer industry, along with other alcoholic beverage and food manufacturers, were told by Health Canada back in 2007 to plan for changes to their labels due to the forthcoming proposed regulations. Once these regulations are enacted they still will have 18 months to comply. It is very interesting that the food manufacturers, as well as distilled alcohol and wine industries, have not fought this regulation and face the same requirements to change their labels. Many have already  revised their labels in anticipation of the proposed regulations being enacted. 

March 23, 2007 CFIA issues allergen labelling alert to industry   www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2007/20070323e.shtml

Reminder notice March 11, 2009 www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/invenq/inform/allerge.shtml

July 22, 2008 HC strongly urge manufacturers to declare major food allergens, gluten sources and sulphites (over 10ppm)  www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/label-etiquet/allergen/guide_ligne_direct_indust-eng.php

An open letter to Prime Minister Harper was sent by many allergy and celiac groups expressing their concerns about the delay and urging the government to pass this legislation immediately.

www.celiac.ca/press/Group_Letter_to_Prime_Minister_Harper_Feb_2_2011.pdf

We encourage everyone in Canada to contact the Prime Minister -  pm@pm.gc.ca as well as their Member of Parliament requesting that this very important legislation be enacted swiftly without any further delays!<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Shelley Case at 10:14 am, Fri 4th Feb 2011)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Shelley Case)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:14:21 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/22437/1/Canadian-Beer-Industry-Froths-Over-Allergy-Label-Rules/Page1.html#Comment8134</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #3]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/22437/1/Canadian-Beer-Industry-Froths-Over-Allergy-Label-Rules/Page1.html#Comment8156</link><description><![CDATA[Respectfully, I don't understand this...at all. It is the responsibility for celiacs to ensure that everything they consume is gluten free. If you don't know, you don't eat or drink it. I also think that most adult celiacs are fully aware that ANY "regular" beer is not gluten free. Never will be. Traditional beer will never be gluten free, and unless a beer says it is a gluten free brand, it will have gluten. This was one of the first things I learned as a new adult onset celiac, and my MD gave me no information or dietitian consult whatsoever. Someone savvy enough to read labels usually knows how to find books, pamphlets, classes, or websites on gluten free living. To me, this argument is like requiring peanut butter to be labeled as "Containing peanuts....do not consume if you have a peanut allergy". The real problem here is a lack of patient education. Food items which may or may not contain hidden gluten MUST be properly labeled and lack of regulation is a problem right now. An item known to be made directly from a gluten source (I.e. beer) should be part of general celiac education, IMHO. While labeling is never a bad thing, if the beer industry doesn't want to, leave them alone. I feel our concern as celiacs should be food labels (hidden gluten sources) and expanding patient education.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Sarah at 11:45 am, Mon 7th Feb 2011)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Sarah)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:45:20 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/22437/1/Canadian-Beer-Industry-Froths-Over-Allergy-Label-Rules/Page1.html#Comment8156</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #4]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/22437/1/Canadian-Beer-Industry-Froths-Over-Allergy-Label-Rules/Page1.html#Comment8167</link><description><![CDATA[Beer labeling is needed. There was so much to remember when I first was diagnosed that it can be a big help to us and those who want to have us over for dinner.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by sharon at 9:49 am, Tue 8th Feb 2011)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (sharon)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:49:28 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/22437/1/Canadian-Beer-Industry-Froths-Over-Allergy-Label-Rules/Page1.html#Comment8167</guid></item></channel></rss>