Allergy Awareness Week

So, it is Allergy Awareness Week and it couldn't come at a better time.

With that being noted here are some resources I would like to share with you and make available for those suffering with life threatening allergies.

Compliments of anaphylaxis.ca here are a list of some interesting facts:

• There is no cure; avoidance of an allergenic food is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction.
• About 1.3 million Canadians (4%) have food allergy according to Health Canada.
• One in two Canadians know someone with a serious food allergy.
• The incidence is highest amongst young children (under 3) with close to 6% affected by food allergy.
• About 300,000 Canadian children under 18 years have food allergies.
• Peanut allergy in Canada affects about 2 in 100 children.
• More than 40% of Canadians read food labels looking for allergen information.
• The Ontario government passed Sabrina's Law in 2005, requiring all publicly funded schools in the province to have an anaphylaxis action plan.

The major allergens are:  Peanut and peanut products, soy and soy products, eggs, sesame seeds, milk, seafood, tree nuts, sulphites, wheat and  mustard (Mustard is now a priority allergen in Canada, and labelling requirements for mustard will come into force on August 04, 2012). Many of these products are hidden in common foods.

There are oodles of information on food allergies available all over the Internet. I strongly urge you to get familiar with food allergies as they are becoming increasingly common in Canada and around the world. A simple "google" search on food allergies in Canada, or any country you are in will give you some relevant information for your area and resources. If you, or someone you know is currently suffering from a food allergy and you have stumbled across this page, PLEASE call your local emergency department or 9-1-1. Getting immediate help can save a life.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/fa-aa/index-eng.php

http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/en/educators/educator_resources.html

http://www.allergysafecommunities.ca/pages/default.asp