Eating well with food allergies

It’s natural to have concerns when your child is starting school. When a child has a food allergy, those concerns can increase.

Once your child’s food allergy has been diagnosed, visit Food Allergy Canada’s Newly Diagnosed Support Centre. Their Living Confidently with Food Allergy guide for parents and families has information and resources to help you learn more about your child’s allergy and how to keep them safe. You can also consult a registered dietitian by calling HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.

• Read food labels carefully. Food products containing any priority allergens (the top 10 most allergic foods including eggs, milk and peanuts) will have “contains” statements in bold letters right below the ingredient list. Precautionary statements warning of the potential presence of allergens on food labels start with “may contain.” Do not give your child foods that state they “contain” or “may contain” the offending allergen.
• Be aware of cross-contamination which happens when a small amount of a food allergen gets into another food accidentally or when it is present in saliva, on a surface or on an object you child may touch.
• Teach your child what they are allergic to and how to identify an allergic reaction. Provide them with rules to follow about eating away from home  and instruct them to tell an adult right away if they are feeling unwell.
• Encourage older children and teens to take steps to keep themselves safe in a variety of school situations.

Use Food Allergy Canada’s Safety Checklist to make sure you’ve covered everything from label reading to being prepared with your child’s epinephrine auto injector (Epipen).

• Most schools have an allergy-related policy which usually includes what foods are not permitted in school, on school field trips or at school-sponsored special events.
• B.C. schools are subject to the province’s Anaphylaxis Protection Order, which requires they have anaphylaxis policies and procedures.
• It is a good idea to be familiar with your school’s policy regarding prevention and management of allergies. For example, there may be rules about not allowing sharing or trading of food among students.
• Review Food Allergy Canada’s Back-to-School Allergy Checklist.

• School staff, including teachers, teacher helpers, office staff and classroom volunteers all need to know the specifics of your child’s food allergy. You should make them aware of the signs that indicate your child is having an allergic reaction and what to do.
• Here’s a suggested emergency treatment plan to fill out and share with school staff if your child has anaphylaxis and needs an epinephrine auto injector (Epipen).
• This Anaphylaxis in Schools and Other Settings manual has a complete listing of all the information and resources a school needs to help keep your child safe.
• Remember that “allergy-aware” is not the same as “allergen-free.” For the most part, schools aim to be “allergy-safe.”

• Resources and Information for Teens and Young Adults - Food Allergy Canada
• Allergy Aware
  Free online courses to help people prevent and manage potentially life-threatening allergic reactions in the community
• HealthLink BC: Food allergies
• Download free allergy classroom posters and fact sheets
• Consult a registered dietitian by calling HealthLink BC at 8-1-1. They also have a food allergy dietitian specialist.
• Allergies and Anaphylaxis Resources for School Personnel