Food Allergy Awareness for Parents

What you will be able to do

• explain the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance in plain words.
• recognize the signs of a mild reaction and the signs of anaphylaxis, and know that anaphylaxis means using the prescribed epinephrine and calling 911 straight away.
• read a Canadian food label for the priority allergens, including the ingredient list, the "Contains" statement, allergen names in brackets and 'may contain' statements.
• set up simple kitchen habits that cut the risk of cross-contact at home.
• prepare for eating out, travel, parties and family visits with a written allergy card.
• share clear, up-to-date allergy information with a child care centre, home child care provider or school.
• teach your child, step by step, to understand and manage their own allergy as they grow.
• You will know when to go back to your family doctor, nurse practitioner, public health nurse or allergist, and where to find support.

1. 1Understanding Food Allergy

   What a food allergy is, how it differs from an intolerance, and how allergies are properly diagnosed in Canada.

   • Allergy or intolerance? Knowing the difference
   • How food allergy is diagnosed in Canada

   Priority Allergens Checklist

2. 2Recognizing a Reaction and Anaphylaxis

   How to spot mild, moderate and severe reactions, and exactly what to do when anaphylaxis means using epinephrine and calling 911.

   • Signs of an allergic reaction
   • Anaphylaxis: always call 911
   • Allergy action plans and prescribed medicines

   Emergency Information Sheet

3. 3Priority Allergens and Reading Canadian Labels

   Canada's priority food allergens, how to read ingredient lists, "Contains" statements and 'may contain' warnings, and what to do with unlabelled food and recalls.

   • Canada's priority food allergens
   • Reading ingredient lists, "Contains" and 'may contain'
   • Unlabelled foods, recalls and allergy alerts

   Priority Allergens ChecklistLabel Checking Card

4. 4An Allergy-Aware Home

   Simple kitchen and household habits that cut the risk of cross-contact, plus how to shop, cook and live together as a family.

   • Cross-contact and kitchen habits
   • Shopping and meals that work for everyone
   • Siblings, visitors and family life

   Allergy-Aware Kitchen CheckEmergency Information Sheet

5. 5Eating Out, Travel and Celebrations

   How to plan restaurant meals, takeout, travel, parties and playdates so your child can join in safely.

   • Eating out and takeout with confidence
   • Travel and vacations
   • Parties, playdates and special occasions

   Eating-Out Allergy Card

6. 6Child Care, School and Growing Independence

   Working with childcare and schools, and teaching your child to manage their own allergy at each age, including the teenage years.

   • Working with child care and school
   • Teaching your child, age by age

   Child Care and School Allergy Information Template

7. 7Babies, Balanced Diets and Looking After Yourself

   Canadian advice on introducing common allergens to babies, keeping a restricted diet balanced, and managing the worry that often comes with food allergy.

   • Introducing common allergens to babies
   • Keeping a restricted diet balanced
   • Managing worry and finding support

   Priority Allergens ChecklistEmergency Information Sheet

• ListPriority Allergens ChecklistMark which of Health Canada's priority food allergens your child must avoid, and see where each one often hides.
• CardsLabel Checking CardA pocket card set that walks you through checking any Canadian food label for your child's allergens in under a minute.
• TemplateEating-Out Allergy CardCreate a clear, printable card to hand to restaurant, café or takeout staff so the chef knows exactly what your child must avoid.
• TemplateChild Care and School Allergy Information TemplateGive your child's child care centre, home child care provider or school one clear page about their allergy, medicines and contacts, ready for a planning meeting.
• TemplateEmergency Information SheetOne page that tells any adult caring for your child what to look for and what to do in an allergic emergency, with 911 at the top.
• CheckerAllergy-Aware Kitchen CheckCheck off the habits already in place in your kitchen to see where small changes could cut the risk of cross-contact.