Reporting Gluten-Free Issues In Canada

Gluten-Free Standards

In Canada, a gluten-free manufacturer is expected to ensure that no gluten containing grains are present as an ingredient and that all ingredients used in the manufacture of a gluten-free product are indeed gluten-free and have not been cross contaminated in any way. Meaning gluten-free equals gluten-free. Not maybe, or almost, but entirely gluten-free.

What Can You Report?

• Foods containing gluten, being sold as gluten-free 
• An adverse reaction you've had following the consumption of gluten-free food
• Restaurants/bakeries which market gluten containing items as gluten-free
• Food falsely advertised in print as gluten-free

How To Report Your Concerns

Please report your concerns to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). They are responsible for enforcing the labelling regulations that are set by Health Canada. Once they have your complaint, they will investigate further. 

Contact your local CFIA regional office or call the following toll-free number 1-800-442-2342.

You can also use this online form to report your food safety or labelling concern.

What Will Happen

When you make a complaint, the CFIA will open a case file and launch a food safety investigation. A representative from the agency will contact you and may visit your home. A home visit is necessary for retrieval of leftover food in question. A sample will then be sent to a lab to be analysed. They may also visit the store which you purchased the item in question at to collect more samples.

You will be asked for 

• Brand Name Of Product 
• Size, Universal Product Code (UPC), Best Before Date 
• Name and Address Of The Store where product Was Purchased At 
• Purchase Date(s) 
• Home Address (ensures your inquiry reaches the correct CFIA regional office) 
• Daytime Phone Number so an inspector can reach you

Please keep any remaining product as a sample may be needed for investigation

You're Making A Difference

Speaking up and voicing your concerns is priceless. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Every complaint is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

 Thanks to our help, the CFIA is able to:

- Issue Food Recalls

- Implement Label Updates
- Provide Allergen Safety Alerts
- Prevent Companies From Engaging In Misleading Advertising
- Notify Manufactures About Allergen Protocol



Did you know that you can sign up for food recall warnings via email? There's also a handy web application  which you can download free of charge, to stay up to date as well.

Quick Guide To Canada's Gluten-Free Tax Credit

Did you know that in Canada, there is a slight tax break available for those who need to consume gluten-free food? The Canadian Revenue Agency allows a tax deduction for the purchase of gluten-free goods. This is really helpful as we all know how ridiculously expensive the gluten-free diet can be.

Who Qualifies

• You must be diagnosed with Celiac disease and requiring a gluten-free diet by an authorized medical practitioner 
• You need to have a note from your physician on his or her letterhead, confirming diagnosis 
• Total medical expense must exceed 3% of net income

How It Works

There is a fair bit of effort involved

• Keep receipts for gluten-free items purchased throughout the year
• You will need to calculate the incremental difference between GF and non-GF items on an item by item basis
• This is done by subtracting the cost of a non-GF item from a GF item

Example per Canada Revenue Agency website

1. Item: bread
2. Number of items purchased: 52
3. Average cost of non-GF product: $3.49
4. Average cost of GF product: $6.99
5. Incremental cost (line 4 minus line 3): $6.99 - $3.49 = $3.50
6. Amount to claim (line 5 multiplied by line 2): $3.50 x 52 = $182.00

 

Tips

•  Highlight the gluten-free items on your receipts or keep gluten-free purchase separate from non-GF purchases
• Keep your receipts organized in a folder and away from the sun
• Use a spreadsheet to itemize and calculate
• If you add to your spreadsheet with every gluten-free grocery shop, you will save time and avoid a headache
• Save a copy of the spreadsheet for your records
• Be patient

My First Online Gluten Free Order

Today I received my gluten free order from the Hospital for Sick Children's Speciality Food Shop. Not only is shipping FREE for Ontario, but my order showed up in only 3 days! They offer a wide selection of Gluten Free products to choose from. So much so that they gained a new loyal customer. I was also really happy to read that ALL of the purchase proceeds directly support patient care and research at the hospital.

 As you can see, I ordered a lot from the Simply Good Line. I stumbled across it on Amazon.com but was disappointed to find out they don't ship it to Canada. So I did some research and came across a review of the cupcake mix by Celiac Baby!. This made me want to order it even more. She let me know that Nut'N Gluten in Vaughan carries the cupcake mix. Unfortunately I probably won't get out that way anytime soon. Always good to know for future reference though! No giving up here. I e-mailed Simply Good (known as Well & Good in the lines Australian home). The response was awesome. I was informed that the line is available through  The Healthy Planet in  Pickering Ontario and online at the Specialty Food Shop (Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto).

I also purchased a pocket book which clearly lists ingredients that we can and cannot consume. Had this about 10 years ago and it was time for an updated version. I find it to be a real asset!