Ottawa Moves on Allergy Labelling Law

News from Allergic Living magazine

Health Minister Tony Clement today announced that legislation will be moving forward requiring the food industry to label – clearly and plainly – any priority allergens among the ingredients listed on food packages.

The announcement follows a campaign in which almost 4,000 individual Canadians e-mailed a form letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper requesting that these important regulations, long delayed, be passed into law. The staff at Allergic Living magazine extend our sincere thanks to all of you who took the time to send that letter, posted at Allergicliving.com. Clearly, your voices have been heard, and this grassroots campaign – involving individuals from St. John’s to Victoria – has proved a success.

Dr. Charles Frankish, president of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, was on hand for the announcement in Ottawa today. The CSACI, Anaphylaxis Canada, the AAIA, the AQAA and the Canadian Celiac Association, have been instrumental in the development and lobbying efforts for the new labelling regulations. Last month, these organizations sent a group letter to the prime minister, urging the regulations finally be passed after years of discussion.

Thankfully, their entreaties and yours have been heard. The regulations still have to pass a couple of regulatory stages to become law. But the Health Minister clearly signaled the government’s intent to pass the labelling legislation and to increase the level of food safety for Canadians with food allergies and celiac disease. Health Canada is asking food companies to start complying with the new regulations as soon as possible. See the government’s media release here.

At Allergic Living, we are committed to the goal of reasonable accommodations for the growing population of people living with allergies and asthma. The success of this campaign shows the strength of our community when it works together. We look forward to working with all of you on other important initiatives.

Sincerely,

The Staff of Allergic Living magazine

Health Canada warns of faulty injectors

News story from Ottawa Citizen, July 14 2008 :

"Health Canada warns of faulty injectors
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Monday, July 14, 2008

OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning of a potential malfunction of a
common epinephrine injector, used in emergency treatment of severe
allergic reactions.

The Twinject 0.3 milligram auto-injector and the Twinject 0.15
milligram auto-injector may pose a serious risk to users, said Health
Canada in a release Monday.

Since Twinject was first marketed to Canadians on August 1, 2005
Health Canada has received 30 reports of malfunctions, most of which
were life-threatening, the department said.
The injectors are meant to kick-start stricken people's hearts after
they go into anaphylactic shock, keeping them alive till they can be
taken to hospitals. Malfunctions included mechanical errors preventing
the distribution of the first or second dose, and in some cases a bent
or cracked needle.

Though the manufacturer made changes to the product in 2007, Health
Canada said the impact of those changes has not yet been evaluated.

Patients who are concerned about their auto-injectors are encouraged
to contact the manufacturer at 1-877-894-6532 or speak to their
doctors.

To report problems with the product to Health Canada, call
1-866-234-2345.