Talking Allergies

This is what my sister wrote in the comment section.

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DS Sept 2006 - peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, coconut; contact reactions. Asthma. Many animal and environmental allergies.
DS Oct 1990 - Environmental allergies

Nice.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

3,800 ... c'mon 4,000 letters.

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Gerry Ritz and Stephen Harper had time to give statements to the Montreal Gazette about their lovely "Made in Canada" food label laws. My favorite quote was Harper's: "We want to tighten up the definition so Canadians know what they're getting and get exactly what they want." Interesting, seeing as how we all want to know what is in our food as well but for reasons of life/death.
The whole article is here : http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/n ... d726a830ae
I am a bit frustrated that our labelling law is not deemed important by them. I am going to try and get in touch with an old contact of mine at the Gazette and ask her is she can get our efforts out into the media. Maybe if the government is embarassed enough, they will give this some thought.

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Associate Editor at Allergic Living.
Allergies to all nuts and legumes except soy and green beans.

I know of someone I could pass this on to at Global TV (a medical watch reporter). What would be a good article to pass to her so she could quickly be brought up to speed with what Is going on with this? I realize that though I read labels so I don't have a reaction that would kill me not everyone does. It is of utmost importance that we know what we are eating no room for error. You would think that most people would want to know what they are eating, allergy or not?

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Me-Allergic to Peanut, Tree Nut, Coconut, Shellfish, ASA and Asthma
My Husband and Children No Allergies

That would be amazing! I think the best article is the one done in Allergic Living Magazine:
http://www.allergicliving.com/features.asp?copy_id=57
At the end of that article there is a link to more information about the labelling issue:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/label-etiq ... ex-eng.php

That should get her up to speed. You should mention to her that these are all of the proposed amendments but everything has completely stalled.

And yes, I totally agree with you. Allergy or not, I would like to know what is in my food. Unfortunately for my brother and I, it IS a matter of life/death which is why I have been trying to push for this law ever since I found out from Allergic Living that such a law was actually proposed.

Thanks so much for your help and let me know if there's anything else I can help you with and if this ever gets on the air, let everyone know when to watch!

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Associate Editor at Allergic Living.
Allergies to all nuts and legumes except soy and green beans.

Thank you Lisa for the web site's that you suggested.
Today I passed this information on to the medical reporter at global tv.
I can only hope now that she will want to do a story on this.
I also mentioned that all people should be interested in what they are eating.
It's not a good thing when we cannot understand what the label says due to the manner it is written, or not enough information is on the label (flavoring)!
If she lets me know anything I will keep everyone posted.
I guess everyone we know and every angle we can use must be tried

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Me-Allergic to Peanut, Tree Nut, Coconut, Shellfish, ASA and Asthma
My Husband and Children No Allergies

Absolutely! Thank you so much for your help

Now it is just a waiting game and seeing how many more letters can be sent in...

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Associate Editor at Allergic Living.
Allergies to all nuts and legumes except soy and green beans.

I received my newsletter from the Allergy and Asthma Information Association today and there was an article in it about this campaign. I'll bet we get more letters sent because if it!

Paige H that would be fantastic if Global TV did a story!

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Moderator
Daughter: asthma, allergies to egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, most legumes (not soy) & penicillin. Developing hayfever type allergies.
Husband: no allergies
Me: allergies to some tree that flowers in May
Cat: allergic to beef, pork and lamb

Yes, saw that Susan. AAIA also put a direct ink up on their website homepage, as did Ana Can.

The groups have been really supportive, and it all helps a great deal.

Paige, nice work. Hope the person goes for the story. I think when almost 4,000 people feel passionately enough to write the PM, there's a story in that alone!

Gwen

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Great news! There were rumblings that an announcement was coming this week, and now it's official that things are happening on the food allergen labelling regs.... See the media release below. And stay tuned tomorrow ...

You guys have made this happen by sending "our letter" to the PM. You've "un-stalled" legislation that was going nowhere. How awesome is that? Thank you so much for all the work you did telling friends and family to e-mail the PM.


NOTICE TO MEDIA
July 22, 2008


The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, will make an announcement related to labelling requirements for specific food allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites in pre-packaged foods.

The Minister will be available to answer questions from the media following his remarks.

Following the announcement, Health Canada officials will provide a technical briefing to the media.

Accredited media with photo identification are welcome to attend.

Date
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Time
1:15 p.m. EDT
Location
Health Canada

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Paige - make sure you tell your Global contact the news. Gwen

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Gwen, I am beyond elated!! I am ever so thankful to the almost 4000 individuals who helped make this happen...especially you for putting things together.
Can we watch this on tv? I'm hoping the Gazette publishes on article on Thursday but either way I will get in touch with the woman I know and hopefully give us all the credit we deserve!

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Associate Editor at Allergic Living.
Allergies to all nuts and legumes except soy and green beans.

Lisa, this is one of those "small" announcements. Won't be on CPAC or such.

But I am hoping the media will pick up, and "get" the importance for our community and the celiacs.

I can't be there, but we're sending a photographer, and AL now has the lead news story for the next issue

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Great news to hear this. I will forward this info. on to my Global contact. I also just left her a quick voice mail, I hope she is not away. I have been checking my e-mail every day to see if she has left me a note, not yet

Strength in numbers I guess

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Me-Allergic to Peanut, Tree Nut, Coconut, Shellfish, ASA and Asthma
My Husband and Children No Allergies