nsumers with allergies or sensitivities in deciding which product to consume.

Scientific evidence has clearly linked certain foods and food ingredients with adverse reactions when consumed by individuals with food allergies, celiac disease or sulphite sensitivity. For individuals, these reactions can range from mild to severe and, in some cases, the reaction can progress to anaphylactic shock and death.

Food allergies, celiac disease and sulphite sensitivity affect approximately 1.75 million Canadians. The labelling changes, which apply the same enhanced food allergen source, gluten source and added sulphite labelling requirements to beer as are already applied to other prepackaged foods, will contribute to the assurance of the health and safety of these consumers and enable informed consumer decisions.

(f) Prevention of adverse reactions to product ingredients

Increased awareness related to products containing food allergen sources, gluten sources and added sulphites may prevent adverse reactions to food allergens requiring medical care. For beer consumers, increased awareness as a result of the new standard related to labelling could potentially result in reduced adverse reactions to food allergen sources, gluten sources and added sulphites following implementation of the regulatory amendment.