Big 8 Allergen-Free

We understand how difficult dealing with food allergies can be. From worrying about cross-contamination to living with the constant fear of having an allergic reaction, we see you and hear your frustration. 

That’s why we’re here to help give you a bit of relief by gathering allergen-free foods for you to discover!

But first…what is a food allergy anyways?

A food allergy is an immune response to a food that your body has misidentified as harmful. It’s more severe than a food intolerance/sensitivity, and must be diagnosed by a professional as soon as symptoms appear. 

An allergic reaction to food can range from mild symptoms to more severe ones. Some symptoms that could be experienced when having an allergic reaction to food may include: Hives, itchy throat/mouth/ears, dizziness, difficulty breathing, etc. 

Now you’re probably wondering…what can I eat if I have a food allergy?

When you have a food allergy, you can’t consume any amount of the identified allergen(s). Consumption of the identified allergen(s) can result in severe symptoms, so you must completely remove the food(s) from your diet. 

Here are some tips for living with and/or living with someone with a food allergy:

• Learn to read food labels! In Canada, food products are required to have an allergy statement if there are any allergies present. However, always ensure that you read the ingredients list for yourself. Talk to your healthcare professional about the severity of your allergy, as some labels have “may contain” statements because of potential cross-contamination during production.
• Practice proper sanitation to prevent cross-contamination
• Don’t keep it a secret, ensure that the people around you are aware of your food allergy 
• Shop for Allergen-Free foods! There are many brands that are committed to producing allergen-free products
• Always carry your prescribed medication with you

In Canada, the Top 8 Priority Allergens are: 

• Eggs
• Milk/Dairy
• Wheat/Gluten and Triticale
• Peanuts
• Tree Nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts)
• Fish
• Shellfish (Crustaceans and mollusks)
• Soy

In addition to these priority allergens, Canada also recognizes the following as common allergens, for a total of 11 allergens:

• Sulphites
• Sesame seeds
• Mustard

If you’re thinking, where can I find allergen-free food…

Here at Natura Market, we’re committed to serving the allergen-affected community! We are continuously adding new products to our Big 8 Allergen-Free Category! All of the products in this category are as stated by the manufacturer, “Free of the Top 8 Priority allergens” or “Free of the Top 11 allergens”. Nonetheless, it is always recommended to read the food label to ensure that the product is suitable for your diet!

We’re here to help give you a sigh of relief, by providing you with various allergen-free snacks and foods for you to choose from!