Information Update

2007-110
August 29, 2007
For immediate release

Health Canada reminds parents of school lunch allergen safety

OTTAWA - As children head back to the classroom, Health Canada is reminding parents of the importance of allergy awareness when packing lunches for their children. Severe allergic reactions can occur quickly and without warning, and some foods can be life-threatening to allergic children.

As many as 1.2 million Canadians may be affected by life-threatening allergies and these numbers are increasing, especially among children. Foods account for most children's allergies, with peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, soy, fish and seafood, wheat, eggs and milk being the most common food allergens.

When someone ingests even a tiny amount of an allergen, the symptoms of a reaction may develop quickly and can become very serious. The most dangerous symptoms include breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure or shock, which may result in loss of consciousness and even death.

Because of this, many elementary schools are now restricting certain foods from student's lunches. Parents are encouraged to follow school policies, even if their child is not allergic. To find out which foods, if any, are restricted in their children's schools, parents should contact the school directly.

There is no cure for food allergies. The only option is complete avoidance of the particular allergen. This is why it is important that allergic children not be exposed to allergens that regularly cause extreme and sometimes fatal reactions.

Health Canada has a number of food allergy factsheets which provide information on the nine priority food allergens. An It's Your Health article is also available that provides additional information on severe allergic reactions.

National allergy associations, such as Anaphylaxis Canada, the Allergy Asthma Information Association or the Association Quebecoise des Allergies Alimentaires, also provide further information, including tips and strategies for educators, schools and other organizations for creating allergy safe communities.

An Anaphylaxis Handbook for School Boards is also available which provides school boards with the necessary background information they need to begin developing policies to handle life-threatening allergies in schools.

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Media Enquiries:
Paul Duchesne
Health Canada
(613) 954-4807

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709