Need help with Canadian labelling!

[brownie]

DH went to Canada on business and spent about $100 at walmart for "safe stuff".  I need some help bc most of it is only labelled pnut free and we have severe treenut issues.  He got Quaker chocolate chip granola bars and variety packs of Nestle (aero, coffecrisp, etc) and Hershey (cookies and cream, etc).  If I assume their labeling policy is the same as here, I would trust that they are treenut free because there is no warning and I trust these 3 companies to label well.  However, I don't want to assume that Canadian labeling policies are the same for individual companies, otherwise why do they not label "treenut free"?  Can someone help me here?  We've hidden the chocolate bars and kids are drooling while looking at the granola bars on the counter!

Brownie

[SilverLining]

I'm Canadian.

I have not discussed with any companies recently, but when I asked why something is labelled peanut free but not tree nut free, I was told that not all tree nut protein could be tested for.  The label of "peanut free" doesn't just mean there's no peanuts in the facility.  It means they get letters from suppliers about being PF.  It also means they test the product for peanut protein.  Since they cannot do that for nuts, they do not put nut free on the label.

There are some companies that are now starting to put "nut free" but as far as I know, that only means certain nuts....and I'm not sure which ones.

I avoid all nuts, even may contain.  I have not had reactions to them that I'm aware of.

I would eat Quaker, Hershey, and Nestlé products that do not have "may contain" written near the ingredients.

I will do a quick look at their Canadian web-sites and let you know if I find anything.

[SilverLining]

From Nestle's page.

Our Peanut Free Promise
We are committed to providing our most popular chocolate bars — KIT KAT, COFFEE CRISP, AERO and SMARTIES — in snack size formats that are made in a Peanut Free Facility. Rigorous quality control and testing programs ensure that no peanut/nuts or peanut/nut-containing ingredients are used in the process.

[brownie]

Thanks!  I am hoping that since in the U.S. they would label for may contains, it is the same in Canada since their labeling seems better there, but you never know!  We've had this come up a few times in the U.S. recently where someone assumes my son can have something bc it is labeled pnut free but it is not up to our treenut standards.

There is also the coconut issue - I am not concerned about coconut but I know this is keeping a lot of companies from being able to say "nut free facility", even on the phone.

Brownie

[SilverLining]

I've searched Quaker, and can't find direct information, but, several years ago, they did a voluntary recall because a carton, containing 14 boxes of granola bars was mislabeled on the outside carton as peanut free.  The inside individual boxes were labeled correctly, and one of the flavours included nut.

As for Hershey, I cannot view their page as I have no flash on my iPad.

But I trust their labelling, and no peanut or nut warning means I'll eat it.

[SilverLining]

absolutely read labels.  There are some products here that say peanut free, then have a nut warning n them.

As far as I know, coconut is not a nut up here.

[Jessica]

I'm Canadian.

I have not discussed with any companies recently, but when I asked why something is labelled peanut free but not tree nut free, I was told that not all tree nut protein could be tested for.  The label of "peanut free" doesn't just mean there's no peanuts in the facility.  It means they get letters from suppliers about being PF.  It also means they test the product for peanut protein.  Since they cannot do that for nuts, they do not put nut free on the label.

There are some companies that are now starting to put "nut free" but as far as I know, that only means certain nuts....and I'm not sure which ones.

I avoid all nuts, even may contain.  I have not had reactions to them that I'm aware of.

I would eat Quaker, Hershey, and Nestlé products that do have "may contain" written near the ingredients.

I will do a quick look at their Canadian web-sites and let you know if I find anything.

Did you mean products that do NOT have a may contain?

[candyguru]

absolutely read labels.  There are some products here that say peanut free, then have a nut warning n them.

As far as I know, coconut is not a nut up here.

Yes, in Canada, the government does not classify coconut as a tree.  That is why Dare coconut creme cookies are labelled as "peanut-free and nut-free"

Nestle Canada and Hershey Canada both label for may contains. I have seen "may contain tree nuts" on some of their products.

[SilverLining]

I'm Canadian.

I have not discussed with any companies recently, but when I asked why something is labelled peanut free but not tree nut free, I was told that not all tree nut protein could be tested for.  The label of "peanut free" doesn't just mean there's no peanuts in the facility.  It means they get letters from suppliers about being PF.  It also means they test the product for peanut protein.  Since they cannot do that for nuts, they do not put nut free on the label.

There are some companies that are now starting to put "nut free" but as far as I know, that only means certain nuts....and I'm not sure which ones.

I avoid all nuts, even may contain.  I have not had reactions to them that I'm aware of.

I would eat Quaker, Hershey, and Nestlé products that do have "may contain" written near the ingredients.

I will do a quick look at their Canadian web-sites and let you know if I find anything.

Did you mean products that do NOT have a may contain?

Yes I did.  I'll edit my original post.

Thank you for pointing this out.

[brownie]

So I did call Quaker Canada on Friday. They told me any possibility for cross-contamination with treenuts would be on the label so we ate the granola bars.  My youngest exclaimed "luxury!" Funny - he doesn't have any allergies
Brownie

[SilverLining]

Glad he enjoyed them.

We will try almost any product free of my allergens.  But we only buy them a second time if they are good.  Most are good.