Ministerial Message - National Food Allergy Awareness Month
Statement
May 12, 2016
May is National Food Allergy Awareness Month and a great opportunity to help Canadians understand what food allergies are and what they can do to avoid and treat allergic reactions.
Approximately 2.5 million Canadians have a food allergy and, while there is no cure, there are several ways you can protect yourself and your family from allergic reactions.
First, if you think you may have a food allergy visit your health care professional to get tested. Finding out what your allergies are is an important first step in effectively managing them.
If you do have a food allergy, the most effective way to protect yourself is to avoid all foods that you are allergic to. One of the best ways you can do this is by reading food labels carefully.
In Canada, there are ten priority food allergens (substances that can cause allergies) which include: eggs, milk, mustard, peanuts, seafood, sesame, soy, sulphites, tree nuts and wheat. Milk, peanuts and tree nuts are the most common allergens in children, while shellfish, fruits and vegetables are most common in adults. The Government of Canada requires that prepackaged foods clearly declare these priority allergens in the list of ingredients when they are present so that Canadians with allergies have the information they need to keep themselves safe.
If you are eating away from home, make sure to let your host know about the foods you can’t eat. At restaurants, tell the server about your allergies to make sure they can serve food that is safe for you.
If you have a serious allergy, your doctor may have prescribed an epinephrine/adrenaline auto-injector. Learn how to use it properly and carry it with you at all times. Family, friends and co-workers should also know about your symptoms and understand how to use your auto-injector. You may also want to wear a medical alert bracelet to let people know about your allergy in case you have a serious reaction.
In the spirit of National Food Allergy Awareness Month, I encourage all Canadians to learn more about food allergies. Start now by visiting Health Canada’s website to check out our resources.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health
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