Latest news from Food Allergy Canada – April 2022

Check out and share our brand-new guide for caregivers on how to care for a child with food allergy. Learn about our pilot opportunity for grades 4-6 educators in AB, ON and NB – parents, be sure to tell your children’s teachers! Register your 7-to-15-year-old for the spring session of Allergy Pals/Allergies – program begins soon on April 30^th. Watch the recording of our webinar on food allergy and asthma with experts Dr. Mariam Hanna and Dr. Doug Mack. Learn about the Pryde Family Travel Grand and apply – deadline extended to July 1^st. Plus, read our tips and reminders for the holidays in April.

New resource for caregivers: Your guide to caring for a child with food allergy

We heard from many parents with newly diagnosed children that they found it difficult to trust caregivers to manage their child’s food allergy and keep them safe. They expressed the need for a resource just for caregivers that explains what food allergy is, how to avoid having reactions and what to do in case there is one. We heard you and we built it!  

Hot off the press! Our brand-new resource “Caring for a child with food allergy: What you need to know” provides caregivers, like grandparents, babysitters, coaches, with essential information for managing food allergy and anaphylaxis.

It’s very visual, making it easy to follow along and understand, even if English is not the primary language. Plus, there’s a fillable form for parents to complete about their child’s food allergy, their epinephrine auto-injectors, emergency contacts, and more.

Download and share the guide today.

Pilot opportunity for grades 4-6 educators in AB, ON, NB – parents please share with teachers!

We are seeking educators for grades 4-6 in Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick for a pilot on food allergy and anaphylaxis education during May (Food Allergy Awareness Month). Parents, please share with your children’s teachers or other educators you may know!

The pilot program, “All about food allergy”, is a free medically-reviewed and curriculum-linked program designed to develop the knowledge and skills students need to support the health and well-being of self and others.

With this program, students will learn what happens to their body if they have a food allergy, what triggers anaphylaxis, how to be a good citizen and build inclusion, and much more.

To ensure this program delivers the highest quality resources and meets the needs of educators across the country, we are looking for educators to pilot the new resources with their grades 4-6 students this May.

BONUS: Teachers can win $250 for their class!

To thank teachers for their time and support, they can win a $250 VISA gift card for their class. If they register for the pilot by April 30^th, 2022, they will get an extra ballot.

Our school pilot program is a big step forward in our efforts on educating and enabling the next generation on food allergy and anaphylaxis. The goal of this program is to normalize this medical condition, increase empathy and support, build inclusion, and build community skills around anaphylaxis management. Help us ensure as many teachers as possible take part in this pilot. The national launch of this program is expected by the end of this year.

Starting April 30^th: Allergy Pals/Allies Spring online mentorship sessions – register now!

This free 8-week program is led by a trained peer mentor and will help your child feel more confident managing their food allergy. There are two online support sessions: one for ages 7-11, and another for ages 12-15.

By participating, kids will:

• Build a support network by connecting with other children who have food allergy
• Learn strategies for managing their food allergy
• Feel more confident managing their food allergy

Register your child today, so they don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to connect with other youth with food allergy. Spring session runs from April 30 to June 18^th, 2022.

ICYMI – Webinar on food allergy and asthma: how do they impact each other

Last month, we hosted a webinar on food allergy and asthma with two expert guests, Dr. Mariam Hanna and Dr. Doug Mack. In this session, they discussed how food allergy and asthma are related, how these conditions can be successfully managed, and answered your top questions.

If you missed the webinar or would like to watch the session again, check out our webinar recording.

Plus, visit our recorded webinars page to watch past sessions on various food allergy-related topics.

Call for applications: 2022 Pryde Family Travel Grant – deadline extended to July 1^st

Are you a medical student, graduate student, or healthcare professional with an interest in food allergy/anaphylaxis? Learn more and apply for the 2022 Pryde Family Travel Grant. Two grants valued at $500 each will be awarded to help cover the costs of attending an academic program or event related to food allergy. To accommodate conference schedules, the deadline to apply has been extended to July 1, 2022.

Read about last year’s recipients, Connor Prosty and Rishma Chooniedass, and apply today!

Reminders for allergy-safe celebrations during Ramadan, Easter and Passover 

Ramadan, Easter and Passover are all being celebrated this month and many of you will be getting together with family. To help you have safe and fun celebrations, we have rounded up the following tips and reminders for managing food allergy safely. Check them out below and enjoy these holidays!

Tips for hosts

1. Download our tip sheet for hosts. This tip sheet is great to give to your hosts so they can help to ensure their guests with food allergy will be safe and comfortable.

Food label reminders

1. The packaging of holiday-themed products can be different. Be sure to read ingredient labels carefully and thoroughly from top to bottom and check the entire package. Food companies do not have to make allergens stand out in any way (e.g. bolding, italicizing, or underlining the print) on the label.
2. Do the triple check. Read labels:
   1. Once at the store before buying a product.
   2. Once when you get home and put it away.
   3. Again, before you serve or eat the product.
3. If you are ordering a product online and are unsure about the ingredient listing, contact the manufacturer to find out if it contains any allergens you need to avoid.
4. Food companies may use “free from” statements such as “peanut free” or “milk free”. Read these carefully as they do not replace the need to read the ingredient list.

Kitchen tips

1. Wash hands thoroughly before and after working in the kitchen.
2. Use a dedicated cutting board for allergy-safe meal preparation.
3. Cook meals that are free of the person’s allergens first, using separate cookware and serving utensils.
4. Keep the allergy-safe food covered in a separate space where it will not come into contact with other foods, while preparing foods that contain allergens.
5. Do not use the same utensils when serving food to the person who has the food allergy.

Allergy-friendly recipes and allergen substitution ideas

1. Discover and recreate our delicious allergy-friendly recipes, including donairs, green onion cakes, double chocolate banana bread, and more! Download the recipes and watch the recipe videos.
2. Be creative in the kitchen while substituting priority food allergens with other things in your pantry. Check out this substitution chart from registered dietitian, Linda Kirste. She also includes a few recipes you may find helpful.