If you\u2019re a parent with a child in school, there\u2019s a good chance food allergies<\/a> have come up in conversation. Whether your child has an allergy themselves, or you\u2019ve been contacted by your child\u2019s school with careful guidelines on what allergy friendly foods they can bring in their lunches. As a parent, it\u2019s imperative that you understand the severity of allergies and are alert to the risks of food allergies for the safety of your kids and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you know that 2.6 million Canadians self-report having at least one-food allergy? Did you also know that the incidence is highest among young children (under 3 years of age)? May is food allergy awareness month in Canada, and CDHF has partnered with MadeGood Foods to raise awareness on the importance of understanding food allergies and anaphylaxis so that you and your child can eat and share food risk-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowledge is power \u2013 so let\u2019s start with the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A food allergy<\/a> occurs when the body\u2019s immune system mistakenly sees a certain food protein as harmful. The first time the individual is exposed to the food, the body\u2019s immune system responds by producing defensive antibodies called immunoglobulin (IgE). When the individual is exposed to the same food protein again, even in the smallest amount \u2013 a chemical (histamine) is released that cause a reaction in your respiratory system, stomach and intestines, skin or cardiovascular system. The symptoms of allergic reactions vary in type and severity, from mild skin irritations and hives to breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness.\u00a0In the most extreme cases, food allergies can be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your child can be allergic to any food, but some allergies are more common than others. Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), allergy associations, and the medical community have identified substances associated with food allergies and allergic-type reactions as \u201cpriority food allergens\u201d. They are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the tiniest amount \u2018hidden\u2019 in a food or a trace amount of an allergen transferred to a serving utensil has the potential to cause a severe allergic reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anaphylaxis (pronounced anna-fill-axis) is a severe allergic reaction that happens very fast and may cause death. Individuals with food allergies at risk of anaphylaxis carry an epinephrine auto-injector (such as EpiPen) which contains life-saving medication in case of an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs of an anaphylactic reaction may appear alone or in any combination, regardless of the triggering allergen. They can be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most dangerous symptoms of an allergic reaction are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to remember that not every reaction will always look the same, and a child can have different symptoms each time. Anaphylaxis can occur without skin symptoms or hives. A child may describe their symptoms differently than an adult. For example, \u201cmy throat is tingly\u201d or \u201cmy tongue feels scratchy\u201d so do not ignore early symptoms and always take a possible reaction seriously and act FAST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is currently no cure for food-based allergies. The ONLY way to prevent them from happening is to avoid the specific foods responsible<\/strong>. As a parent, keep in mind that severe reactions aren\u2019t predictable. Your child may have a mild reaction one time and a severe one the next \u2013 or vice versa. There are important steps you can take to help protect your child. Some general tips from the Health Canada include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We understand that finding allergy friendly snacks can be hard, but there are brands out there that take allergies as serious as you do. That\u2019s why we have partnered with MadeGood Foods<\/a>. Their products are made in a dedicated facility free from the most common allergens which means they are safe for schools \u2013 but also very tasty! Not only are they allergen friendly, but they are also certified gluten free, vegan, and even offer a full serving of vegetables! Check out their certification badges that they proudly display on their packaging:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are interested in giving them a try, we recommend MadeGood crispy light granola and cereals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but with our busy on the go lifestyles \u2013 it can sometimes be hard to prepare breakfast every day. Breakfast time can be even tougher when your child or your child\u2019s friend has allergies. MadeGood\u2019s vanilla or cocoa flavoured rice crisp cereal<\/a> is not only the healthy breakfast option but its allergen free and tastes great!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s a food allergy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s a food allergen?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is anaphylaxis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How are food allergies avoided and treated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What brands make safe for school foods for children with allergies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n