March 15, 2011

New policy on allergen declaration on our labels and data sheets

At Berthelet, the quality of our products and services to our customers are at the heart of our daily priorities. We devote considerable effort to guarantee the safety of our products. This is why we are constantly re-evaluating our ways of doing business by adhering to a strict framework for our manufacturing practices (HACCP), and by having these practices endorsed by recognized organizations such as the CFIA.

Produits Alimentaires Berthelet Inc. is a company which has established good manufacturing practices, managed by recognized methods and principles of food safety management (HACCP), under the supervision of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), registered establishment #299.

In terms of labelling, and more specifically allergen declarations, we comply with CFIA requirements and standards. We therefore declare priority food allergens present in our products. In Canada, these priority food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans and shellfish, soy, wheat and sulphites. It has been demonstrated that these allergens cause more than 90% of all severe allergic reactions related to food allergens.

On October 31, 2008, following the recommendations of the CFIA, we decided to voluntarily add precautionary labelling to our labels and data sheets regarding allergens not present in the products but present in the facility. Precautionary labelling cannot be used when an allergen is added directly or indirectly to a food. This voluntary precautionary declaration took the following form: “Manufactured in a facility that processes (list of allergens).”

On January 17, 2011, we removed the precautionary labelling from the labels and data sheets of all products manufactured since that date. However, we continue to declare the allergens present in the recipes. This decision was made in agreement with and with the authorization of CFIA officials, after we had demonstrated beyond any doubt that newly established manufacturing procedures guarantee the absence of allergens stored in the facility due to cross-contamination. Cross-contamination occurs when a safe food comes into contact with a food allergen. These very elaborate procedures, documented in our HACCP processes, ensure the proper management of allergens, from the receipt of raw materials to the mixing and packaging stages. A summary of these procedures may be provided for reference.

At Berthelet, the quality of our products and services to our customers are at the heart of our daily priorities. We devote considerable effort to guarantee the safety of our products. This is why we are constantly re-evaluating our ways of doing business by adhering to a strict framework for our manufacturing practices (HACCP), and by having these practices endorsed by recognized organizations such as the CFIA.

For any additional questions on this new allergen declaration policy, do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at 1-800-361-9326 or your sales representative.