According to Health Canada, approximately 2.5 million Canadians self-identify as suffering from food-related allergies or sensitivities. Food allergies vary from mild to moderate, and potentially life threatening.  Symptoms can range from skin irritations to hives and more seriously, difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis shock. 

The purpose of Food Allergy Awareness Month is to shed light on food allergies, raise awareness and to help educate the Canadian public on how to avoid food-related allergic reactions. 

The best way to prevent food-related allergic reactions to is avoid foods or ingredients to which you have a known allergy.  This can be difficult at times as certain allergens can go by many different names.  Food labeling requirements are becoming more rigorous to help ensure that they clearly indicate whether or not a product contains “hidden” allergens, gluten or sulfites. 

It is important that to self-identify if you have a food allergy.  This can be easily done by wearing a medical ID bracelet or medical ID necklace indicating your specific allergies and if you require certain medication.  With your medical ID product, you have access to an online Datafile which will help more fully explain any medical conditions and is easily accessible by first responders in an emergency situation.

For more information on how to manage food allergies, please visit:

http://www.canadianfamily.ca/food/may-is-food-allergy-awareness-month/

http://www.whyriskit.ca/pages/posts/celebrate-food-allergy-awareness-month42.php

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/labelling/food-labelling-for-consumers/eng/1400426541985/1400455563893

http://www.foodallergy.org/food-allergy-awareness-week#.VTkRBiFViko