Allergens and gluten sources labelling
Read before you buy
In Canada, common allergens and gluten sources must always be clearly declared on food labels when present as ingredients or components of ingredients. They will appear in the ingredient list or in a "Contains" statement located immediately after the ingredient list.
What to look for
Priority allergens
In Canada, the most common allergens in food – otherwise known as the priority allergens – are:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Mustard
- Peanuts
- Crustaceans and molluscs
- Fish
- Sesame seeds
- Soy
- Sulphites
- Tree Nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts)
- Wheat and triticale
Did you know…
A food manufacturer that fails to declare the presence of priority allergens and gluten sources on the label of a prepackaged food product could be in violation of the Food and Drugs Act and the Safe Foods for Canadians Act — if so, the product would be subject to enforcement measures which could include a food recall. In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for enforcing applicable food regulations.
Gluten sources
Gluten are proteins found in the grains of certain cereals (and hybrid crops grown from those cereals):
- Barley
- Oats
- Rye
- Triticale
- Wheat
Did you know…
Gluten can be found in some ingredients you might not expect. For example: barley gluten can be present in yeast extract and malt flavoring or malt extract, ingredients used in various foods such as soups, sauces, seasoned chips, baked goods, cereals and some beverages.
Sulphites
Sulphites are added to some processed foods to maintain colour, prolong shelf life and prevent the growth of microorganisms. Added sulphites can trigger allergic-type symptoms in sensitive individuals. They must be declared as an ingredient or component of an ingredient except in situations where regulatory exemptions apply and their total amount is less than 10 parts per million. When their total amount is 10 parts per million or more, those regulatory exemptions do not apply and the added sulphites must be declared.
Did you know…
If you come across a food that you think is improperly labelled, contact the CFIA and provide information about the product.
For more information
- Food allergies
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Common food allergens
- Gluten-related disorders and celiac disease
Advisories and warnings
- Food recalls and advisories (Government of Canada)
- Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts (CFIA)
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