The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced that manufacturers and importers of flavor packets are responsible for identifying food allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites on the labels of their products that they manufacture, import and or/sell in Canada.
In 2010-2011, the CFIA conducted a survey, Undeclared Allergens in Flavour Packets, which led to the recall of three products due to undeclared allergens.
While most of the products sampled in the survey had no detectable levels of undeclared allergens and gluten, the CFIA noted that manufacturers and importers of flavour packets should take appropriate steps to ensure that the foods they manufacture, import and/or sell comply with Canadian regulations, including the new allergen regulations.
The CFIA routinely undertakes targeted surveys of various food products for specific hazards to determine if they pose a potential health risk to consumers. If a human health risk is found, a public recall notice is issued immediately.
In 2014-2015, the CFIA plans to conduct a follow-up survey. As with the 2010-2011 survey, any findings of undeclared allergens from the 2014-2015 survey may be considered to be in violation of the Food and Drugs Act if allergens are added and not declared, the agency said.
That could result in enforcement action, which may include product detention and recall. In addition, the CFIA may carry out random sampling, and sampling in response to investigations, prior to the planned 2014-2015 survey.
