The June updates, as mentioned last week,  are posted on the Health Canada website regarding the proposed updates to the Food and Drug Act on labeling of allergen ingredients.  Sadly, we didn’t gain as much ground as we had hoped on one issue.   Oats.

It was asked that HC review, clarify and take into consideration the difference between common oats and oats from a dedicated source.  We have discussed that issue for our own purposes here at WF Family and have mixed opinions and health needs.  I can only imagine trying to make these decisions for a whole country!  Their decision ” for now”?

Health Canada will maintain the list of cereal grains identified in the definition of gluten as proposed in the CG Part I. Thus, “oats” will be required to be shown, in accordance with the new amendments when oat gluten is present in the product. This will alert all individuals with celiac disease, of the presence of oat gluten. This will assist those individuals with celiac disease who cannot tolerate oats to avoid those products that may cause an adverse reaction.

Health Canada will consider potential options to update the gluten-free definition prescribed in B.24.018 of the Food and Drug Regulations to better reflect the current scientific knowledge related to the safety of pure and uncontaminated oats for the majority of celiac individuals.

Sad but not hopeless.  Let’s hope we win on some of the other areas.