Mythbuster – If someone has a food allergy, is it okay for them to eat a product that has a “may contain” statement?

FACT: “May contain” statements are voluntary, they are not part of Canadian food allergen labelling regulations. Some food manufacturers include this statement on pre-packaged food labels when there is a chance that a food allergen might be unintentionally present in a product.

If someone is allergic to a food, they should avoid products that may contain their allergen. Research shows that some products with this warning have contained enough allergen to cause a reaction.

Bottom line: “May contain” products should be avoided. Take away the guess work and call the manufacturer directly to ask about the product before buying or consuming it.

Reading food labels

Get more information about understanding labels and make a habit of checking ingredients carefully every time. This will help to prevent allergic reactions.

Label reading

Webinar: Food allergy myths

Watch our food allergy myths webinar with Dr. Susan Waserman to discover what’s fact and what’s fiction on topics such as food allergens, signs and symptoms, reactions, and more.

Watch

Help us educate your communities and share this mythbuster with them! Find more mythbusters at foodallergycanada.ca/mythbusters. 

Content is based on information included in our food allergy myths webinar by Dr. Susan Waserman, MSc, MD, FRCPC.