HomeLatest news from Food Allergy Canada – November 2020

Latest news from Food Allergy Canada – November 2020

November 6, 2020

Find out how to #MakeFoodAllergyCount and the need for food allergy literacy, register now for our upcoming webinar on plant-based food trends, and check out how others helped to #ShineATealLight for Halloween. Plus, mark your calendar for Giving Tuesday happening on December 1st.


Advocacy in action: Help to #MakeFoodAllergyCount

Megaphone in human hand with sound waves.

Advocacy update:

Thanks to those that have already reached out to your Members of Parliament (MPs). Because of your support, we have reached over 35 MPs from across the country! We have also met with key members on the Finance Committee, the Standing Committee on Health, and within the Minister of Health’s Office and Health Canada. Together, our collective voices are helping to make an impact.

There’s still time: Reach out to your MP

It takes 5 minutes to help us keep the momentum going. Please write to your MP and ask them to #MakeFoodAllergyCount. You can use our letter template to make it even easier!

Write to your MP

Ask for support of our pre-budget submission and to invite us to present at the upcoming consultation hearings.

2021 budget submission

Read our 2021 budget submission to the federal government. It requests a modest commitment to initiate the National Food Allergy Action Plan. 


Food allergy literacy is needed: Article featured in the Toronto Star

Toronto Star article feature

In October, we spoke on the need for food allergy literacy with an article in the Toronto Star. The article highlights how a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, which shows a spike in anaphylactic reactions during Halloween, reinforces the need for the federal government to adopt affordable, evidence-based measures to keep you and all Canadians living with food allergy safe. Read the article.

Want to do more? Reach out to your MP and ask them to #MakeFoodAllergyCount by supporting our budget submission.


November 18th webinar: Plant-based food trends and the impact to those with food allergy

Plant based burgers

As plant-based food options, like meatless burgers, non-dairy milk, and pea protein, are on the rise, you may be wondering how the ingredients in these foods may impact those with food allergy.

Participate in our webinar to find out how these trends may impact you and how to navigate them safely. You’ll hear from two presenters, a leading research scientist and our own food safety expert. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to submit questions upon registration!

Don’t miss out on this informative and timely webinar, register now!

Here are the details:

Jennifer Protudjer and Beatrice Povolo-2
Dr. Jennifer Protudjer and Beatrice Povolo
  • What the webinar is about: The implications of new plant-based food trends for those with food allergy and how to address them, followed by a Q&A, where you can ask questions. You can also ask your questions in advance during registration.
  • Who is presenting:
    • Dr. Jennifer Protudjer, who is the Endowed Research Chair in Allergy, Asthma and the Environment, and an assistant professor in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba, an epidemiologist with the Clinical Trials Platform at the George and Fay Yee Center for Healthcare Innovation, and a research scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.
    • Beatrice Povolo, who is Food Allergy Canada’s Director of Advocacy & Media Relations, and the program lead for our food safety initiatives. Her expertise and knowledge in food safety, including food labelling and in foodservice, has helped to inform and educate key stakeholders such as government and industry on how to support the food allergy community.
  • When is the webinar: Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 12-1pm EST

Don’t miss out on this informative and timely webinar, register now!


ICYMI: Watch the recording from last month’s webinar on “Understanding EoE”

Last month we hosted an informative and educational webinar on understanding Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). For those of you who missed it or would like to view the webinar again, the recording is now available online.

With this webinar, you’ll hear from pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Vishal Avinashi, and dietitian Kirstin Wingate on the basics of EoE, including signs/symptoms, treatment, and how to manage daily living.

Watch the webinar, check our recordings of other past webinars, and please share with others who may benefit.


Thanks to everyone who helped to #ShineATealLight on food allergy this past Halloween

Although Halloween was different this year due to the pandemic, many of you still helped to #ShineATealLight on food allergy. Thank you!

We heard from schools, families, and individuals across the country on how they were going to spread food allergy awareness this Halloween.

Check out some of the monuments that lit up in teal across Canada to support food allergy awareness! There were 11 monuments in total that helped to #ShineATealLight, from coast-to-coast, to drive food allergy awareness.

Halloween is now over but you can still help create food allergy awareness and #ShineATealLight. Check out these fun ways you can create awareness.


Giving Tuesday is coming up! Mark your calendar and learn about the different ways you can make an impact

Giving Tuesday is an annual tradition dedicated to supporting charities through giving and volunteering. This year, it’s on Tuesday, December 1st.

Ahead of Giving Tuesday, take a moment to learn how your generous contributions allow us to continue our sustainable educational programming, advocate for change, and provide life-changing support for the over 3 million Canadians impacted by food allergy. Learn more and please consider donating to Food Allergy Canada on Giving Tuesday.

Your support is very impactful.

Watch for us on social media and online on December 1st as we share the impact our initiatives have made on the food allergy community. From our advocacy work on improving food labelling, to ensuring access to epinephrine auto-injectors, to creating a better #FoodAllergyFuture through the National Food Allergy Action Plan, your donations make all of our important work possible.

Check out the different ways to give below and plan your giving today. We can’t do our work without you, thanks in advance for your support!

Red heart in parent and children holding handsFamily and friend stack hands with red heartDonate directly

With this current crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, funding has become unstable for the coming years, making your support even more critical at this time.

Learn the many ways your donation will make a difference in advocating for change, educating others, and offering support.

All donations $20 and above receive a tax receipt.

calendar page with female hand holding pen on desk tableMonthly giving

Make an ongoing impact. Your support will help to ensure we can advocate strongly across many different platforms on your behalf, provide education to the community, public, industry, and government on the seriousness of food allergy, and offer support to you/others when you need it.

Select “Monthly Gift” on the online donation form and enter the amount you want to donate. Or call us at 1 866 785-5660.

Group Of Senior Retirement ExercisingLegacy giving

Plan today to make a difference tomorrow.

Consider Food Allergy Canada as a beneficiary when you are updating your will, or your life insurance coverage.

Mixed group in business meeting smiling Corporate giving

Your support tells your employees and your customers that you care.

Check out the different ways your workplace can get involved.

Young woman standing indoors under colorful confettiCelebration giving

Celebrate while supporting our cause! Plan your next birthday or milestone event virtually at ECHOage, a free online party-planning service that helps charities in North America.

ECHOage has recently launched a series of new activities and entertainers for birthday parties – perfect for your social distancing events or virtual parties.

In honour of your birthday or event, ask your friends and family to donate to Food Allergy Canada. Now more than ever, small charities like ours rely on your generous donations to continue our important work now and well into the future.

Tags: , ,