New food labelling regulations in Canada

Canada has announced new food labelling regulations which will force food manufacturers to list specific allergens, gluten sources and sulphites on the labels of the products they sell.

The changes will mean that food labels will have to list any key ingredients in food items that may have been created with an allergenic substance, this will also include some ingredients that are currently listed as for example "spice" or "seasoning".

In the case of gluten, the labels will now have to specify where the gluten comes from, such as wheat, barley or rye.

The regulations have yet to be implemented but Federal Health Minister Tony Clement called on the food industry to take action now.