Get ready for the fall with our 2023 back-to-school campaign! Spread awareness through our #MoreThanPeanuts social media campaign and check out our resources and tips for a confident return to school. Learn about our “All about food allergy” school program ideally suited for grades 4-6. Plus, have your say and tell us if you would attend a food allergy conference in person and register now for upcoming events and webinars!
Be prepared. Be confident.
As the new school year approaches, we want to help you and your family be prepared and confident. Check out our 2023 back-to-school campaign for tips, resources, and more to help you navigate the season confidently with food allergy!
Plus, help create public awareness for all food allergies with our #MoreThanPeanuts social media campaign. Learn more about the priority allergens in Canada and how you can help drive awareness and educate others. Scroll down to learn more about this campaign.
As the fall brings new routines and the feeling of a new year, ensure you are prepared.
Have you made your annual allergist appointment? Do you need to get your epinephrine auto-injectors renewed? Have you talked to your doctor about which device is best for you – with multiple devices now in Canada you can discuss which one suits your needs.
Plus, check out our tips and reminders and get prepared today.
Check out our fun hacks for back-to-school with food allergy.
Share our #FoodAllergyHacks on social media to spread food allergy awareness and education.
Watch our videos, take a free AllergyAware.ca course, and download our back-to-school checklist, our checklist for starting post-secondary school, tips sheets and more!
Don’t miss out on our upcoming webinars to help you get confident and prepared for #BackToSchool.
The first one is on August 15th!
Sponsors
A huge thank you to the sponsors of our back-to-school campaign. With their support, we can create awareness and educate Canadians about the seriousness of food allergy. Be sure to check out their special offers for our community now!
Share our #MoreThanPeanuts social posts
Help create public awareness this fall with our #MoreThanPeanuts social media campaign.
Research shows that 84% of all anaphylactic reactions in children were food-induced. Such reactions can occur because people are unaware of other priority food allergens beyond peanut, and the same precautions may not be taken.
Our #MoreThanPeanuts campaign focuses on supporting all food allergies, bringing attention to the seriousness of allergies, and highlighting the importance of knowing what’s in the food you eat and/or share with others.
Learn more about the campaign and share the social posts. Help us create conversations across the country!
“All about food allergy” school program
Our new “All about food allergy” school program is a free, medically-reviewed and curriculum-linked program that will help develop the knowledge and skills students need to support the health and well-being of self and others. The most effective way to broaden the knowledge and capabilities of the public is through the education system. With this new program, we can start building the foundation of understanding and inclusion.
“All about food allergy” is ideally suited for grades 4-6 although it can be easily adapted for other grades. The program teaches students about food allergy, what triggers anaphylaxis, how to be a good citizen and build inclusion, and much more!
As the new school year approaches, be sure to share this information with your classroom or the educators you know.
Visit foodallergycanada.ca/SchoolProgram to learn more. Educators can register to access lesson plans, presentations, resources, and more. This program is ready to use and can make a huge impact.
Survey: Would you attend a food allergy conference
Help to shape our educational programming for next year. We want to know if you would attend an in-person food allergy conference.
For the last few years, we have offered our educational programming through webinars and other digital resources. We are now planning for next year and want to know if there is interest in attending in-person events.
Please take our very short survey by August 18th to let us know – we want to hear from everyone, those who want to attend the events and those who do not. We want to ensure we are serving you as best as we can.
Register now: Webinars start soon
As part of our back-to-school school campaign we have several webinars and events to participate in to help you and your family be prepared and confident!
| Session | Date/time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Making allergy management a habit: Tools to help manage more confidently | August 15 12-1pm EDT | Register now |
| Milk allergy: How to manage it and what to consider from a dietary perspective | September 19 12-1pm EDT | Register now |
| Treating anaphylaxis and what you need to know about Benadryl® | September 28 12-1pm EDT | Register now |
| Fall sessions for Allergy Pals and Allies | Starts September 24th | Register now |
Visit foodallergycanada.ca/events for more webinars and events, including our newly diagnosed webinars and details on support group meetings!
Tips for the last days of summer
Check out our tips to stay allergy aware while enjoying these final lazy hazy summer days and getting ready for the fall.
Barbeques
Make sure to clean the grill thoroughly between making meals. It’s a great idea to provide foil to wrap food to help prevent cross-contamination.
Be aware that many marinades and sauces can contain allergens, do the Triple Check and read the ingredient list to ensure it’s safe for everyone.
Mixed drinks and coolers
Savouring an icy beverage is a delicious and fun way to beat the heat, and mixers are popular. It’s important to know exactly what’s in your drink and how it’s been prepared and served before you take that first sip. For example, have any pre-packaged powdered mixes been used, and is the ingredient label available to read? For the adults, check which alcoholic beverages have been used in the mixture. Certain brands of alcohol contain allergens — for example, Irish Cream liqueurs may be made with milk, while gin and certain whiskeys may be processed with tree nuts. Did you know that certain wines are processed using fining agents that may include fish, milk, or eggs?
Another point to keep in mind is how your drink was mixed. If it was shaken in a mixing container, it’s important to know what drinks were previously mixed in that same shaker to avoid cross-contamination of your drink with your allergen(s). When in doubt, ask for your drink to be re-made in a fresh, clean mixer and always ask about the ingredients used in your drink.
Prime time for oral allergy syndrome/pollen food allergy syndrome
If you have seasonal allergies, you might find that your throat becomes itchy when you eat raw fruits or vegetables. This may be oral allergy syndrome (OAS), also known as pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS).
You might find that these symptoms flare a bit more during allergy season, when pollen is elevated and circulating in the air. If you notice this, speak with your allergist to find out what your options are, and whether you can consume the fruit or vegetable in question when cooked. Check out our section on OAS/PFAS.
Keep your auto-injector dry and temperature controlled
At the pool, the beach, or anywhere you might encounter water, it’s always important to keep track of your epinephrine auto-injector.
Store it in a dry place and make sure your pool party pals know where it is and how to use it. Share our resources on knowing the signs and symptoms of a reaction and how to treat it, and download and share an anaphylaxis emergency plan or have it on hand to share.
Protect your auto-injector from the heat, as epinephrine can lose its effectiveness in extreme temperatures. Keep your auto-injector in a cool, dry place by keeping it in the shade. Check the date on the device to make sure it is not expired and set a reminder for yourself in advance of the date listed. EpiPen® and ALLERJECT® offer a free email reminder, you can sign up your device at their respective websites. Learn more about epinephrine and download our handy sheet.