As you take part in your summer plans, these tips and resources can help you manage food allergy safely and confidently throughout the season.
Get-togethers
The warmer weather calls for BBQs, picnics, parties and more with family and friends. Help hosts factor in food allergy, with considerations for ingredients, and the prep and serving of food, so everyone can enjoy these gatherings.
- Share our hosting tips sheet at foodallergycanada.ca/partysheet.
Camp
Camp is a rewarding experience for many kids, whether it’s day or overnight. As with any setting, ask about their food allergy and anaphylaxis policy, make sure you understand how they accommodate kids with food allergy, and have a completed Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan with information about your child.
- Get our complete camp tips at foodallergycanada.ca/camp.
Travel
From day trips to weekend trips or longer, think about the journey and the destination. Pack safe snacks/meals, scope out safe restaurants, and consider your accommodations. For example, having a kitchenette, refrigerator or microwave allows you to prepare safe meals and keep them on hand.
- Check out more tips at foodallergycanada.ca/travel.
Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS)
Various fruits and vegetables are in season, and it’s also a time when grass and weed pollens are in the air. Be aware of PFAS: how the proteins in certain fresh fruits and vegetables are similar to those in pollens, and how “cross-reactivity” can cause allergic symptoms like itchiness of the mouth and throat in some people.
- Learn more at foodallergycanada.ca/PFAS.
- Download our handy 1-page pollen allergy & foods chart at foodallergycanada.ca/PFASchart
Summer essentials
Be prepared with an anaphylaxis emergency plan and epinephrine auto-injectors. Share the plan with others as needed, and bring your auto-injectors along wherever you go. Remember to keep both up-to-date, bring more than one auto-injector, and store your devices at room temperature, avoiding extreme heat and cold.
- Download an anaphylaxis emergency plan at foodallergycanada.ca/AEP.
- Download our tips on epinephrine at foodallergycanada.ca/episheet.
These tips and resources can help you and your family enjoy a fun and safe summer with food allergy.
For more information about managing food allergy throughout the year, visit foodallergycanada.ca.
Prep for the new school year
Although school is just ending, the new school year is right around the corner!
Follow these tips, whether your child with food allergy is starting school for the first time or is a returning student:
- Read the policies on allergy management at your school
- Complete the anaphylaxis emergency plan
- Ask about training sessions for the school staff
- Tell your child to avoid sharing food
- Be prepared at school and have your child carry at least one epinephrine auto-injector
- Get the complete checklist for parents and students at foodallergycanada.ca/B2STips
Starting post-secondary?
Check out these tips for managing food allergy on campus:
- Ask the admissions office about the schools’ food allergy and anaphylaxis policy
- Contact dining and housing services to find out about accommodation options
- Reach out to health services to inquire about supports to help with food allergy management
- Get the complete checklist at foodallergycanada.ca/PSTips
Parents, tell your teachers about our free All about food allergy student program at foodallergycanada.ca/SchoolProgram. This curriculum-linked program teaches food allergy and anaphylaxis in the classroom to build the knowledge and skills of the next generation.
