<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I have been working with Canadian celiac and allergy groups over the past 4 days dealing with a major issue about food labeling regulations . As you may have seen on the weekend, several media outlets reported that the beer industry has come out in strong opposition to the proposed food allergen/gluten labeling regulatory changes in Canada. This opposition by a powerful private interest group threatens to derail final approval of the proposed changes by the federal government. Food allergy and celiac groups are deeply concerned with this development and that the regulations might not be passed. Community stakeholders have been waiting for 2 1/2 years for these regulations to be enacted - and this is on top of the 10-year campaign for such changes that preceded it. The public good must take precedence over powerful private interests. The only way to counter the influence of the beer industry is to demonstrate the widespread public support for food labelling changes. We therefore seek your urgent assistance again. 1. Please call Prime Minister Stephen Harper office at (613) 992-4211 as soon as possible. 2. Please join Allergic Living's write-in campaign: http://www.allergicliving.com/petitions/food-labelling/ <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AllergicLivingmagazi/02de233cc2/573a881644/78fa7ece 7c> 3. Contact your Member of Parliament. Click here to find your local MP: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/compilations/houseofcommons/memberbypostalco de.aspx?menu=hoc <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AllergicLivingmagazi/02de233cc2/573a881644/88178b53 a7/menu=hoc> Please tell the Prime Minister and your MP that people with food allergies and celiac disease need clearer food labeling on all food packages and beverage labels. It's a matter of life and death. And public safety is more important than private interests. Here are the press releases from the allergy and celiac groups: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2011/24/c4892.html Further to this point, the Canadian Celiac Association writes today: "Health and Safety of Millions of Canadians at Stake over a Beer? Celiac Association urges Government to Pass Labelling Regulations" http://www.prweb.com/releases/Celiac-Disease-Allergens/Food-Beverage-Labelli ng/prweb4999184.htm <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AllergicLivingmagazi/02de233cc2/573a881644/303853e1 69> I encourage all Canadians or anyone with friends in Canada to take action TODAY!!! Shelley 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 Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC