Food allergies in NZ and AUS--any idea about food labeling?

barliz
Junior Member



Joined: 18 Jul 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:08 am

 

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Hello.it's me the newbie posting again!

My son has food allergies.peanut and egg. Here in Canada there is mandatory posting on labels ie. may contain trace amounts of.) Anyone with allergies know what the regultaions are like there? Are there many foods that are labelled peanut free like there are here? Anyone know if the schools are allergy aware?
Thanks!

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comet555
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 201
Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:07 pm

 

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I believe there is mandatory labels. I do notice them all the time on the labels, and judging by that website it looks like its mandatory.

http://www.allergyfacts.org.au/foodindustry.html
http://www.allergy.org.nz/shop/food+industry.html

Not sure about the foods labelled peanut free because I've never really had to look for it, but I think there are.

I have also seen special shops that carry food catering to people with allergies or sensitivities. Not sure how common they are, but I know there is one in our suburb.

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geri_s
New Member



Joined: 08 Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Melbourne

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:51 am

 

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As above, we now have pretty strict rules in Aust governing labels esp in relation to allergy info. While I've never seen a label that specifies egg or peanut free [except as below], the labels will state or highlight these kinds of ingredients or state that the product was processed on, for example, the same conveyor as nuts or shellfish. You should do just fine if you read the labels, which of course you will. Saying this, I know you can buy a chocolate spread, a la Nutella, but sans nuts. Maybe also health food type shops would be helpful for allergy free products.

More and more schools are banning staff, canteens, kids and parents from bringing any kind of nut products to school and are very allergy aware. Again, you should have no problems with your son's allergies in relation to this.

Hope this helps.

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CdnKiwi
New Member



Joined: 30 May 2008
Posts: 4
Location: Christchurch

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:55 am

 

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There seem to be labels on most products here in NZ, but I work in schools here and there don't seem to be any restrictions on lunch items except that they should be healthy. This would mean making your child's school, teacher, and class aware of his allergies and working out a plan with them. Allergies don't seem to be as rampant here as they are back home, but I'm sure most schools would be more than happy to work with you.
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CdnKiwi

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barliz
Junior Member



Joined: 18 Jul 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Newfoundland

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:16 pm

 

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Thank you so much everyone! My son's school here is peanut free, and although it's not perfect, the fact that they do try is a huge help. It's a little scarey not knowing these things before hand so again, thanks!

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