Reminding Parents of School Lunch Allergen Safety

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Information Update
2011-118
September 2, 2011
For immediate release

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 allergies and these numbers are possibly increasing, especially among children. Foods account for most children's allergies, with peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, soy, seafood (such as fish, crustaceans and shellfish), 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 death.

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

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

Health Canada has developed information on food allergies as well as a number of food allergy factsheets which provide information on the most common food allergens. An It's Your Health article is also available that provides additional information on severe allergic reactions.

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.

For more information on school lunch allergen safety, please visit:

Government of Canada's Tip Sheet on School Lunch Allergen Safety

Government of Canada's Tips for Avoiding Common Allergens in Food

Health Canada is available for interviews to media on allergen safety and awareness upon request at the media enquiries number below.

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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

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