Understanding Celiac Disease - Dr. Justine Dowd

Thanks to Dr. Justine Dowd (University of Calgary) for her clear explanation: "Understanding Celiac Disease". She is an active health promoter, and presented her work the Canadian Celiac Association's National conference in Ottawa in June 2018. Check out a video of a recent interview:

Support having beer labelled with ingredients...

CCA asks public to support changes to beer standards regulation

Health Canada has proposed changes to the composition and labelling of beer products in Canada. The change will require beer manufacturer’s to declare any food allergens, gluten and sulphites on the product label. The celiac community is strongly encouraged to show its support for the proposed changes which will make it easier to identify safe food for consumption. See a sample response. Share with your family and friends.

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Is Gluten-Free Behind the Cauliflower Pizza Crust Boom?

Recently Pizza Pizza added cauliflower crust pizza to their menu and state that it is gluten-free: Pizza Pizza. They are the first Canadian pizza franchise to do so but likely others will follow given the interest in cauliflower crusts in the U.S.  Have you tried it yet?

Interesting story suggests the reason cauliflower crust has become so popular can be traced back to someone looking for a gluten-free alternative: How cauliflower became pizza's hottest ingredient.

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"May Contain" Labelling 101

CCA Sue’s Quick Fact of the Month

A note on “May Contain” labelling. 

A large food retailer in Canada adds “May contain wheat” warnings to virtually all of its house brand products.  Snack foods imported from some countries regularly list all 12 priority allergens on their ingredient lists. Products with a gluten-free claim also carry “may contain wheat” warnings (and this is encouraged by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency).  Almost all the ingredient labelling regulations in Canada are set by regulation but precautionary labels remain in the “optional” category.  No wonder people are confused about the words “May contain”. See more...

Celiac Awareness Day

Celebrating Celiac Awareness Day May 16th 2018 in Montreal with tweets to create a shining crisscross of stars. Thanks to all who participated.

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Food Recall Warning (Gluten) - Dhawaka brand Choco Kids "Chocolat en poudre"

A recall has been added to the CFIA's Food Recall Report due to undeclared gluten in the Dhawaka brand product Choco Kids "Chocolat en poudre".

Product details are available here.

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issues public advisories and email notifications for food recalls for all high-risk food recalls (mainly Class I) when the product is available for sale or could be in consumers’ homes.  

All other recalls (Class II and III), and food products that are sold exclusively to restaurants, are posted on the CFIA’s Food Recall Report. Email notifications are also available for all allergen recalls. 

To sign up for food recall notifications, click here.

Food and consumer product recalls are also available at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

Items for sale

Available from the Quebec Chapter while supplies last

Practical Guide to Gluten-Related Disorders and the Gluten-Free Diet for residential care (It comes with a copy of the CCA Pocket Dictionary)

  • $12.00 (plus shipping) for members, $15.00 (plus shipping) for non-members*

On Sale for a Limited Time Only

CCA Pocket Dictionary - Acceptability of Food and Food Ingredients for the Gluten-Free Diet

  • $6.00 (plus shipping), available through the Quebec Chapter*

Gluten-Free - The Definitive Resource Guide by Shelley Case, Dietitian 

  • $25.00 (plus shipping), on sale while copies last*

*To order, please contact the Quebec chapter:   info@celiacquebec.ca or (514) 893-9856

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Updated Quebec & Montreal GF Restaurant Guides

We have just published the latest updates to our Gluten-Free Friendly Restaurant First-Step Guides.  There are two guides - one for Montreal, Laval, and the Montérégie, and one for the other regions in the province.  These are minor updates, with a small number of changes to each guide since our previous editions from October 1st, 2016.

To get these guides, go to the Restaurants page.

Whether you are travelling in one of the regions of Quebec, or simply want to go out to dinner for the evening, it can be a challenge to find a place where gluten-free dishes are available. These guides should be considered a first-step in helping you find a place where you can dine without worry. These guides do not replace the vigilance that any person who must dine gluten-free must have in order to dine safely.

Montreal and Area Guide updates

Restaurants added:

  •   Saint-Constant location of Amir
  •   L'Imprévu in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu,
  •   Café Espace Passerelle in VIllery/Saint-Michel/Parc-Extension
  •   Tamalera in Plateau Mont-Royal

Restaurants removed:

  •   Fusion d'Asie in Laval (closed)
  •   Le Riverain in Ormstown (closed)
  •   McGill college location of Resto Végo in downtown Montreal (closed)
  •   Casa Grecque in Lasalle

Quebec (except Montreal and Area) Guide updates:

  • Bistro Bistro Évolution et traiteur in Lévis
  • Zone Express Santé in Blainville