Message from the Minister of Health: Food Allergy Awareness Month

Do you have a food allergy, or do you know someone who does? Approximately 2.5 million Canadians have a food allergy. While there is no cure, there are several ways to protect yourself and the people you care about from allergic reactions.

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.

If you suspect that you have an allergy, see your doctor to get tested. If you have a serious allergy, your doctor may prescribe an epinephrine or 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 allergies and 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.

Food labels matter, and they particularly matter to people living with food allergies. In Canada, there are ten priority food allergens (substances that can cause allergies): eggs, milk, mustard, peanuts, seafood, sesame, soy, sulphites, tree nuts and wheat. The Government of Canada requires that most prepackaged foods clearly declare these priority allergens in the list of ingredients when they are intentionally added. Food manufacturers may also provide a precautionary labelling statement (such as “May Contain”) when there is potential for cross-contamination with one or more of the priority allergens. These labelling measures ensure that all Canadians with food allergies have the information they need to keep themselves safe.

As part of Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, which I announced last October, Health Canada committed to improving the information available on food labels to help Canadians make more informed food choices. In December, Health Canada finalized updates to the Nutrition Facts Table and List of Ingredients to make allergen information easier to locate.

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 view our resources.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health