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Health Canada Seeks Comments on Proposed Principles for the Revision of the
Gluten-Free Labelling Regulations May 13, 2010 For immediate release

 

OTTAWA – Health Canada is seeking input from stakeholders and the Canadian
public on the proposed principles that will guide the revision of the
gluten-free labelling regulations.

 

The consultation, which will be posted on the Health Canada website and open
for comments from May 13 until July 11, is intended to help inform the
development of the proposed changes.

 

The Canadian Food and Drug Regulations currently states that: “No person
shall label, package, sell or advertise a food in a manner likely to create
an impression that it is a gluten-free food unless the food does not contain
wheat, including spelt and kamut, or oats, barley, rye or triticale or any
part thereof.”  In addition, “gluten-free” is not permitted on packaged food
products containing oats; even if the oats are pure and uncontaminated with
other cereals.

 

Until recently, oats were thought to cause adverse effects in individuals
with celiac disease.  However, Health Canada’s recent review of the safety
of consuming pure oats indicates that the majority of people with celiac
disease can tolerate moderate amounts of oats that are pure and
uncontaminated with other cereals.  Current scientific knowledge also
suggests that pure oats can be beneficial to those individuals with celiac
disease who tolerate it, and its palatability and nutritional benefits may
increase compliance with a gluten-free diet.  For these reasons, Health
Canada recognizes the importance in revising the gluten-free labelling
requirements in order to provide better information to consumers with celiac
disease.

 

Celiac disease is an inherited medical condition where the surface of the
small intestine is damaged by gluten, a group of proteins found in grains
such as wheat, rye, and barley. This damage causes the body to be unable to
absorb nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals,
which are necessary for good health. Currently, the only treatment for
celiac disease is to follow a strict gluten-free diet.

 

Health Canada will continue to update Canadians on the progress of this
issue once the consultation period has concluded. Please visit the Health
Canada website for more information on the proposed principles that will
guide the revision of the gluten-free labelling regulations in Canada (
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/consultation/init/gluten2010/index-eng.php ).

 

To increase awareness of celiac disease in Canada, Health Canada, in
collaboration with the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) and the Fondation
Québécoise de la Maladie Coeliaque (FQMC), has published a pamphlet

entitled: Celiac Disease – The Gluten Connection (
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/securit/gluten_conn-lien_gluten-eng.php

).

 

For further information, please visit Health Canada’s webpage on celiac
disease ( http://www.healthcanada.gc.ca/celiac ).

 

 

Note: Comments may be submitted by email: [log in to unmask], mail or courier

to:

 

Bureau of Food Policy and Science Integration, Room E202

251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway

Tunney's Pasture, Health Canada

Address Locator: 2202E

Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9

 

The feedback received through this consultation will be considered by Health
Canada as it moves forward with developing options for potential revisions
to Canada's gluten-free labelling policy. Health Canada will undertake
further consultation with stakeholders once potential options have been
developed.

 

 

 

Shelley Case, B. Sc., RD
Case Nutrition Consulting,  <http://www.glutenfreediet.ca>
www.glutenfreediet.ca 
Author: Gluten Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide
Medical Advisory Board: Celiac Disease Foundation, Gluten Intolerance Group,
Canadian Celiac Association 
Advisory Board: Living Without Magazine
EMail:  <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]

 <http://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleycase> www.linkedin.com/in/shelleycase

Phone: (306) 536-7716     Fax: (306) 751-1000

 


Visit the Celiac Web Page at Http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html
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