The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada have advised manufacturers and importers of grain-based products that precautionary labelling for soy is not required on these products when a low level of soy is present due to adventitious presence.
Health risk assessments have identified that the low levels of soy due to adventitious presence are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in the soy allergic community, according to the CFIA.
The CFIA and Health Canada have said that precautionary labelling for soy (may contain soy) in grain-based products is not required, as it is not expected to be of benefit to the soy allergic community.
However, such labeling is necessary if there are specific concerns regarding allergen controls or possible cross contamination at the manufacturing level,
CFIA noted that if a product is found to have undeclared soy due to adventitious presence, and the situation is unlikely to pose a health risk, the CFIA will not be taking any additional action to recall the product.
The adventitious presence of soy in cereal grains can occur during growth, harvesting, storage and transportation.
