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As children head back to the classroom, Health Canada reminds parents of the importance of allergy awareness when packing lunches for their children. Severe allergic reactions can occur quickly and without warning, and some foods can be life-threatening to allergic children.

As many as 1.2 million Canadians may be affected by allergies and these numbers are increasing, especially among children. Foods account for most children's allergies, with peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, soy, seafood (such as fish, crustaceans and shellfish), wheat, eggs and milk being the most common food allergens.

When someone ingests even a tiny amount of an allergen, the symptoms of a reaction may develop quickly and can become very serious. The most dangerous symptoms include breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, or shock, which may result in loss of consciousness and even death.

Because of this, many elementary schools are now restricting certain foods from students' lunches. Parents are encouraged to follow school policies, even if their child is not allergic. To find out which foods, if any, are restricted in their children's schools, parents should contact the school directly.

There is no cure for food allergies. The only option is complete avoidance of the particular allergen. This is why it is important that allergic children not be exposed to allergens that regularly cause extreme and sometimes fatal reactions.

Food allergies

As many as 1.2 million Canadians may be affected by life-threatening food allergies and these numbers are increasing, especially among children. Currently, it is estimated that six per cent of children are affected by food allergies.

Although many foods can cause allergic reactions, Canada has identified a list of priority allergens that are responsible for the majority of allergic reactions to food in our country. These allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, soy, seafood (such as fish, crustaceans and shellfish), wheat, eggs, milk and sulphites.

Allergens can 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. Symptoms can also develop at different rates, sometimes getting worse very quickly. The most severe reaction, called anaphylaxis, can be fatal.

Food allergies are triggered when your body's immune system mistakenly identifies a food protein to be harmful. Exposure to even the smallest amounts of allergenic protein can cause a serious allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. This is why you need to be very careful when packing school lunches for your children.

Allergens in schools

Because of the potential seriousness of allergic reactions, many schools have a policy in place to restrict students from bringing certain items in their lunches. It's very important for you to follow the school's food allergen policy closely, even if your child is not allergic. The health and safety of other students depends on all parents and students following the school's food allergen policy. Here are some tips to help you:

If your child is allergic to a certain food, make sure the school knows about the allergy and work with them to come up with a strategy to keep your child safe. Remind your child that it is not safe to trade or share food.

If peanut is on the school policy as a restricted food, try thinking about alternative sandwich-making ingredients. For example, try hummus or apple butter instead of peanut butter.

Always read the labels on the food you pack in your child's lunch. Don't pack any food with ingredients that are restricted at your school. Look for warning statements on the label such as "may contain...". Remember, even trace amounts can cause a severe allergic reaction.

Health Canada has developed information on food allergies as well as a number of food allergy factsheets which provide information on the most common food allergens. An It's Your Health article is also available that provides additional information on severe allergic reactions.

Allergy associations, such as  Anaphylaxis Canada, the  Allergy Asthma Information Association, or the  Association Quebecoise des Allergies Alimentaires, also provide further information, including tips and strategies for educators, schools and other organizations for creating  allergy safe communities.

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