| Loblaw
Pharmacy Launches Food Allergy Management Assessment Program
As part of our ongoing efforts to create allergy-safe communities,
Anaphylaxis Canada is pleased to announce a new partnership
with Loblaw Pharmacies on their new Food Allergy Management
Assessment program. The program, to be offered in the pharmacies
located in Loblaw retail stores, will help educate consumers
about food allergies and emergency preparedness. The pharmacists
will provide interested customers with:
• allergen wallet cards to help identify food allergens
while grocery shopping
• an anaphylaxis emergency plan which provides information
to teachers, caregivers and others
• an auto-injector instruction sheet and a personal
review of how to correctly use it
• an opportunity to sign up for the REFILLready™
auto-injector expiry date reminder program
For more information on this program, please visit your local
Loblaw pharmacy.
Loblaw has also recently launched new peanut-free products
and now has more than 80 President’s Choice® brand
and no name® peanut-free snacks in their banner stores.
For more information on these products, visit www.pc.ca
Statement from
Anaphylaxis Canada in response to Minister of Health's announcement
on food labelling
TORONTO, Feb. 14 /CNW/ - After two decades
of tireless advocacy by thousands of Canadians, our organization
is very pleased to see the passage of important new regulations
that will make food ingredient labels easier to understand.
However, we are very disappointed by the federal government's
decision to alter the regulations as proposed and provide
a special exemption to the brewery industry.
Anaphylaxis Canada is proud to stand with the
national medical body for allergy, other patient groups and
close to 70% of Canadians who recognize a fundamental principle:
all Canadians have a right to know if there is an
ingredient in their food or beverages that can harm them.
For the millions of Canadians with food allergies
or celiac disease, this knowledge can be the difference between
life and death.
The political decision to deviate from this
principle by allowing a last minute exemption for the brewery
industry - against the advice of medical experts, consumer
and health advocates and the government's own departmental
advisors - defies logic and raises serious questions about
the credibility of its public consultation process.
The federal government can still demonstrate
that it is serious about protecting public health by quickly
convening a meeting with the brewery industry, patient groups
and medical and health policy experts to resolve this outstanding
issue.
Our organization will continue to advocate for
clear and fair labelling rules for the brewery industry and
will advise our members to call individual beer companies
for ingredient information should they have questions before
purchasing a product. And we encourage all Canadians to learn
more about what is in their beer products by visiting www.whatsinyourbeer.ca.
We thank those Members of Parliament who have
been vocal in their support of this issue, Health Canada staff
for their professionalism, other industry groups that consulted
in good faith and are prepared to abide by the new regulations
and our community partners for their efforts in this campaign.
Finally, we thank the countless Canadians, some of whom have
overcome personal tragedy to be leaders in this effort, for
supporting clear and fair food and beverage labelling rules.
For further information:
How you can
help in the campaign for better food & beverage labelling
in Canada:
1. Write your MP (letter below)
2. ‘Like’
us on Facebook
3. Sign
the new petition to Prime Minister Harper urging
him to pass the regulations now
4. Visit and share www.whatsinyourbeer.ca
5. Submit your “Letter to the Editor”
(Template
of "Letter to the Editor" - word document).
For helpful hints on how to submit a letter
to your local newspaper click on “About
letters to the Editor”
6. Call the Prime Minister’s Office (613-992-4211)
7. Join Allergic
Living’s write in campaign
An open letter
to MPs
Dear Member of Parliament,
Re: Proposed Amendments to Enhance the Labelling of Allergens,
Gluten Sources and Added Sulphites
We are writing to ask you to support efforts to pass important
new food and beverage labelling regulations. All Canadians
deserve to know what is in their food and beverages. For millions
of people with celiac disease or at risk of a potentially
life-threatening allergic reaction, they must know in order
to stay safe.
As you may be aware, the federal government announced new
labelling rules for food and beverage manufacturers after
an extensive public consultation process in July, 2008. In
addition to requiring clear and complete labelling for food
products, for the first time wine, beer and spirit companies
will have to list ingredients that are considered the most
common allergens like milk, nuts, fish and wheat as well as
gluten and sulphites. But just as these important, potentially
life-saving new rules were about to be approved, public opposition
from a single powerful lobby group - the beer industry
- has put them at risk. Every other food and beverage
product already has, or will have product labels providing
important information for consumers. But this one industry
wants special treatment by receiving an exemption from the
new rules. This is not acceptable. In addition, all the regulations
are now being delayed and remain at risk if a federal election
is called.
The proposed new product labelling rules are supported by
doctors, dietitians, consumer advocates and health policy
experts. They are also supported by almost 70% of Canadians.
More information, including an open letter to the Prime Minister
signed by Canada’s leading medical body for allergy
as well as celiac and allergy patient groups, can be found
in the attached documents or online at http://anaphylaxis.ca/content/whatsnew/hot_topics.asp
Your vocal support in Parliament is required to persuade the
Prime Minister to pass the proposed regulations now.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any
questions. Thank you.
Laurie Harada, Executive
Director
Anaphylaxis Canada
1-866-785-5660 / [email protected] |
Jim McCarthy, Executive
Director
Canadian Celiac Association
1-800-363-7296 / [email protected] |
|
|
Copy:
Canadian Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology
Canadian Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Foundation
Allergy/Asthma Information Association
Association québécoise des allergies alimentaires
Fondation québécoise de la maladie coeliaque
Allergic Living Magazine
Download a pdf
copy of this letter to MPs
An open
letter to the Prime Minister of Canada
February 2, 2011
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2
Re: Regulatory Project 1220 - Regulations to
Enhance the Labelling of Food Allergens, Gluten Sources and
Added Sulphites
Dear Prime Minister,
Two and a half years ago, your government announced plans
to ensure more than 2 million Canadians with food allergies
and celiac disease would finally have the right to know if
the food and beverages they consume were safe. Beyond
the vital public health imperative to reduce the potential
for life-threatening allergic reactions, your government
was instilling the principle that all members of the food
and beverage industry have a responsibility to declare common
allergens.
Many food products currently have ingredient labels that are
inaccurate or unclear (e.g. casein means milk). Alcohol
beverages have not been required to declare any potential
allergens. At the time of the announcement, your then-Health
Minister, Tony Clement, said "these new proposed
labelling requirements will provide Canadians with the information
they need to manage their own allergies".
After more than a decade of advocating for these changes,
your government was the first to act on the concerns of Canadians
with food allergies and celiac disease. Our organizations
applauded your government’s commitment to public safety
then and we are ready to recognize this historic achievement
once the proposed regulations are finalized.
Our organizations remain, as we always have, willing to listen.
What we are not prepared to do, Prime Minister, is let this
once in a generation opportunity be put at risk because of
the last minute interventions of a powerful, private, industry
lobby.
The proposed regulations are the result of diligent efforts
by consumer advocacy groups, medical professionals, industry
representatives, policy experts within government and thousands
of Canadians who offered their perspectives on various proposals.
Significant taxpayer dollars have been spent on this
process. Many manufacturers have already spent millions of
dollars updating their product labels based on the guidance
documents distributed by Health Canada in preparation for
the regulatory changes. The hopes of millions of Canadians
whose lives and whose children's lives depend on clear and
accurate labeling have been raised.
Any major changes to the proposed regulations at this stage
- after your Minister of Health committed in writing to us
that final approval was imminent - would call into question
the very legitimacy of the entire eighteen month public and
stakeholder consultation process.
Now, a single industry - the brewery industry is seeking special
treatment; treatment afforded to no other food or beverage
manufacturer. This is not only unfair, it is unnecessary and
it is wrong. Public safety must take precedence over private
interest. Consumers with food allergies and celiac disease
have a right to know whether a food or beverage contains a
substance which could make them ill, or worse, kill them.
The specific argument for an exemption from the regulations
for the brewery industry advanced in public reports last week
- and in communications with your office - that Canadians
do not need to know what is in their beer because everyone
already knows, is illogical. How would Canadians know what
is in their beer if the industry has never told us? It is
not the responsibility of the allergic consumer to guess if
there is something in their food or beverage product that
may harm them; it is the responsibility of the manufacturer
to disclose it! This information is important today, and given
brewery industry trends to include various nuts, milk and
other allergens in their products, the need will be even greater
in the future.
The proposed regulations have widespread public support: a
new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll reveals close to 70% of
Canadians are in favour of them.
All other food and beverage manufacturers have accepted these
much needed changes and many are already working on implementation.
Similar labelling regulations have already been adopted in
many other countries.
Prime Minister, we respect the demands on, and limitations
of, government. We have always endeavored to be pragmatic
in our approach and consensus-orientated in our advocacy.
We remain committed to these ideals as we reach out to both
you and the brewery industry.
But Prime Minister, beer companies do not make public
policy - you and your government do.
We are prepared to meet with you immediately to review the
facts and evidence around the issue of foodlabelling and disclosure
of allergens so that these regulations can move quickly towards
final approval.
Canadians with food allergies and celiac disease are counting
on you to be on their side, just as whenyou promised these
regulations in July, 2008.
Respectfully yours,
Dr. Stuart Carr, President
Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|
Dr. Eric Leith, Chair
Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation |
Laurie Harada, Executive Director
Anaphylaxis Canada
|
Mary Allen, CEO
Allergy/Asthma Information Association
|
Diane Dubord, Executive Director
Association québécoise des allergies alimentaires
|
Jim McCarthy, Executive Director
Canadian Celiac Association |
Gwen Smith, Editor
Allergic Living Magazine |
Mireille Lafond
Directrice générale
Fondation Québécoise de la Maladie Coeliaque |
Copies by email:
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P.
Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building
Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
|
The Honourable Stockwell Day
President of the Treasury Board of Canada
and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Strategic Communications and Ministerial
Affairs
L'Esplanade Laurier, 9th Floor, East Tower
140 O'Connor Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R5
|
The Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H5 |
The Honourable Gerry Ritz
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
1341 Baseline Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C5 |
Download
a pdf copy of this letter to the Prime Minister.
Also read the;
Letter to the Prime Minister
from the Canadian Society of Allergy & Clinical Immunology
Seventy percent of Canadians
support no exemptions to proposed food labelling regulations
for allergic and celiac consumers
Doctors, consumer and health advocates call on
Prime Minister to approve rules now.
Ottawa, February 2nd, 2011 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper
is being asked to act on the concerns of millions of Canadians
with food allergies and celiac disease and listen to the advice
of prominent national medical, consumer and health organizations
and pass proposed federal food labelling regulations now.
The Prime Minister is also encouraged to heed the results
of a new public opinion poll showing close to 70% of Canadians
want regulations to affect all prepackaged food and beverages
and not grant a special exemption for the beer industry.
According to Angus Reid Public Opinion, 67% of Canadians approve
of the proposed rules so they apply to all food and beverage
companies, while only 21% believe the government should change
the proposed rules to exempt the brewery industry from having
to declare common allergens, gluten sources and sulphites.
A solid majority of Canadians support the proposed regulations
across all regional, demographic and education lines.
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, groups in support
of the Proposed Amendments to Enhance the Labelling of Allergens,
Gluten Sources and Added Sulphites argue that consumers have
a right to know if there are ingredients in food and beverage
products that can trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic
reaction. They explain why the Prime Minister should reject
the last minute opposition to the proposed regulations from
the influential multi-national brewery industry and respect
the commitment of his own Health Minister to pass these new
rules in early 2011. The full letter to the Prime Minister
can be read here (below).
After twelve years of advocacy from the community
for clearer food labelling, the new regulations were created
to make it easier for people to understand food ingredient
labels. As there is no way of predicting how severe an allergic
reaction may be and no known cure for anaphylaxis, avoidance
of allergens is the only means of staying safe. Food allergy
is one of the leading causes of potentially life-threatening
anaphylactic reactions.
"After 18 months of public and stakeholder consultation and
widespread support from consumers, industry and the medical
community, it is time for this government to move forward
and pass these food labelling regulations now, " said Laurie
Harada, Executive Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and herself
the parent of a teen with multiple food allergies.
About the survey:
From January 31 to February 1, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion
conducted an online survey among 1,023 randomly selected Canadian
adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error
(which measures sampling variability) is +/- 3.1%, 19 times
out of 20. The results have been statistically weighed according
to the most current education, age, gender and region Census
data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult
population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are
due to rounding.
For more information please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Principal, Empower Consulting for Anaphylaxis Canada
416-996-0767
Anne-Marie Flanagan
416-735-3690
Download
a pdf copy of this press release.
Urgent
Call to Action
Proposed Food Labelling Regulations May be at Risk
We appreciate your continued support as part
of our collective efforts to urge the federal government to
give final approval to the proposed food labelling regulations.
As you may have seen on the weekend, several media outlets
reported that the beer industry has come out in strong opposition
to the proposed regulatory changes. This opposition by a powerful
private interest group threatens to derail final approval
of the proposed changes by the federal government. We are
deeply concerned with this development and that the regulations
might not be passed.
As you know, Anaphylaxis Canada and other community stakeholders
have been waiting for two and a half years for these regulations
to be enacted and this is on top of the 10 year campaign for
such changes that preceded it.
The public good must take precedence over powerful private
interests.
The only way to counter the influence of powerful business
groups like the beer industry is to demonstrate the widespread
public support for food labelling changes. We therefore seek
your urgent assistance again.
1. If you can, please call Prime Minister Stephen
Harper office at (613) 992-4211
as soon as possible.
2. Please join Allergic Living's write-in campaign:
http://www.allergicliving.com/petitions/food-labelling/
3. Contact
your Member of Parliament. Click the link to
find your local MP.
Please tell the Prime Minister and your MP that people with
food allergies and those who shop for them need clearer food
labeling on all food packages and beverage labels. It's a
matter of life and death. And public safety is more important
than private interests.
Anaphylaxis Canada issued this press release urging the federal
government to pass food labelling regulations now: http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2011/24/c4892.html
Thank you again very much for your continued support on this
issue.
Anaphylaxis Canada
Cafe Scientifique
Seminar on Allergy & Asthma
We are pleased to let you know about an upcoming seminar hosted
by AllerGen NCE Inc., as part of their community based program,
Café Scientifique. The session is being held on February
8th, 2011, from 6:30 - 8:30pm in Vancouver.
The seminar entitled, "Don't Worry...Breathe
Happy! Can Controlling Stress and Our Environment Reduce Allergies
and Asthma", is open to the public and includes
a prestigious panel of experts in the field of asthma and
allergy.
For more information and to register for this event, please
visit AllerGen's website at:
http://www.allergen-nce.ca
For your information
Anaphylaxis Canada
Message on behalf
of McMaster University Research Team
Would you like to participate in a research study?
A group of researchers from McMaster University, in collaboration
with Anaphylaxis Canada, is conducting a study that involves
asking parents or caregivers of children who experienced a
FIRST reaction to a food within the past 12 months, to complete
an online questionnaire. At this time, the survey is open
to Canadian residents only.
The purpose of this questionnaire is to find out the experience
of these parents/caregivers during the follow-up visit with
a health care professional after their child's first reaction,
and to find out what information and support were given to
parents/caregivers during this visit.
You have been sent this message because you may be a parent
or caregiver of a child who has experienced his or her FIRST
allergic reaction within the past 12 months that required
medical attention from a healthcare professional.
If you fit this description and are interested to participate,
please click on the following link to begin the questionnaire:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/firstanaphylaxis
Your feedback would be greatly appreciated and extremely valuable,
as it will contribute to our understanding of what information
is currently needed to meet your needs as a parent/caregiver
of an allergic child. Your responses are for research purposes
only and will be kept strictly confidential.
Thank you very much for your interest in participating in
this research project.
Dr. Susan Waserman, MD, FRCPC
Professor of Medicine,
Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology,
McMaster University,
Hamilton, ON
Canada
New video
series launched to help teens manage food allergies
Anaphylaxis Canada is proud to announce the launch of our
Why Risk It? Teen Video Series.
This project is one of the key initiatives undertaken by your
Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) which is made up of 23 teens and
young adults from across the country, ranging in age from
15 to 23 years. This group is responsible for providing input
and direction on our youth program, which is geared towards
offering resources and support to our most at-risk group for
anaphylaxis: pre-teens, teens, and young adults.
The Teen Video Series is a collection of five short clips
dealing with common social situations faced by teens:
· Dating with Food Allergies
· Food Allergies and High School
· Dining Out with Food Allergies
· Eating Safely with Food Allergies
· Travelling with Food Allergies
These videos serve as a dynamic resource for the community,
including students, families, friends and educators and can
be found on our youth website www.whyriskit.ca
and YouTube.
Anaphylaxis Canada announced the launch of the video series
today. See our social media release: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/anaphylaxis-canada/new-video-series-to-help-teens-manage-food-allergies
To view these videos directly, please visit Anaphylaxis Canada’s
new YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/anaphylaxiscanada
We would like to thank the entire YAP team for their hard
work and dedication to the development of these videos. Anaphylaxis
Canada would also like to acknowledge the generous support
and funding from TD Securities and the Annual Sean Delaney
Memorial Golf Classic for this initiative.
Please feel free to share this information with others who
would be interested in this exciting new resource.
Anaphylaxis Canada
Urge Prime
Minister Harper to keep his government’s promise to
Canadians on food labelling legislation NOW.
In July 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government
announced new food labelling regulations to make it easier
for food allergic Canadians and those who shop for them to
read ingredient labels.
Anaphylaxis Canada welcomed the proposed regulations and we
worked with them in an 18-month consultation process. However,
while the regulations were expected to receive final approval
in February of this year we are still waiting. Worse, there
is a concern that if these regulations are not approved soon
the timeline for such approval will expire and we will have
to start over. This is unacceptable.
Anaphylaxis Canada has therefore joined forces with other
groups to urge Prime Minister Harper to keep his promise and
approve the food labelling regulations now. We need your help,
too.
Please write the Prime Minister, Minister of Health,
President of the Treasury Board and your local MP (contact
information also below) and urge the government to keep its
promise.
Include your personal experiences and the importance of clear
food labelling in the effort to keep allergic individuals
from having an unnecessary and potential severe reaction.
Encourage your family and friends to join in on this campaign
as well to show their support.
We have provided for your reference a coalition letter that
was sent to Prime Minister Harper and further background information
on our web site (this page).
We also encourage you to involve your children and have them
tell their story. A template they can use to write about their
own personal experience can also be found on our site.
With your letters and personal stories, we can make a difference
- as we have in the past - and finally ensure
these new food labelling regulations are approved. Please
copy us on your correspondence at [email protected]
Thank you for your support!
Anaphylaxis Canada
Contact Information:
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2
Telephone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
Email: [email protected] |
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C.,
M.P.
Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building
Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9
Telephone: (613) 992-2848
Fax: (613) 996-9764
Email: [email protected] |
The Honourable Stockwell Day
President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Minister
for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Strategic Communications and Ministerial Affairs
L'Esplanade Laurier, 9th Floor, East Tower
140 O'Connor Street
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R5
Telephone: (613) 995-1702
Fax: (613) 995-1154
EMail: [email protected] |
Your local MP’s contact information
can be found here:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/compilations/houseofcommons/memberbypostalcode.aspx?menu=hoc
Letters & Resources
News Release from Anaphylaxis Canada
New research
shows food allergy is an increasingly important public health
issue.
With summer holidays and children’s
camps now underway, greater awareness
and education is needed.
Toronto, July 20, 2010 -
A new Canadian research study shows that serious food allergies
affect up to 7.5% of Canadians, representing 1.9 million individuals.
The study - Surveying Canadians to Assess the Prevalence of
Common Food Allergies and Attitudes towards Food Labelling
and Risk (SCAAALAR) - conducted by a Canadian research
team lead by Dr. Ann Clarke, was published last month in the
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. (The study was
supported by AllerGen NCE Inc. and Health Canada.)
"This study highlights that more and more
Canadians must to learn to live with the daily challenges
of serious food allergy,” said Laurie Harada, Executive
Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and herself the mother of a
teenager with multiple food allergies. "It also reaffirms
the importance of being vigilant and knowing what to do in
the case of a reaction."
As summer is now underway and plans for family
holidays and children’s camps unfold, understanding
the seriousness of food allergies is a critical step to ensuring
a safe and happy time for all. As the number of children with
food allergies rises, so too does the need for many people
to be prepared to respond to an allergic emergency. In fact,
more than 50% of Canadians know someone with a food allergy.
While allergic individuals must take responsibility for their
condition, awareness and support of the community are key
to keeping people, especially children, safe.
Anaphylaxis Canada recommends some key proactive
measures to help lessen the risk of a life-threatening allergic
reaction. By following a few simple steps, everyone can enjoy
a safe summer.
For individuals and parents of children
with food allergies:
• Bring your own food
• Read ingredient labels
• Wear MedicAlert® identification
• Carry an epinephrine auto injector (EpiPen® or
Twinject®) at all times; and have a back-up auto-injector
if possible
• If you are travelling know the location of the closest
local hospital or emergency services
For families, neighbours, camp counsellors
and members of the community:
• Ask your guests in advance about any food allergies
• Have a complete list of ingredients for all foods
readily available
• Avoid cross-contamination of foods and wash dishes/utensils
thoroughly
• Know how to use an auto-injector in case of an emergency"Anaphylaxis
Canada hopes this new information will stimulate a wider,
better informed and more empathetic discussion on food allergies
and their effect on families,” added Harada.
For more information please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting
For Anaphylaxis Canada
(c) 416-996-0767/ [email protected]
News Release from Anaphylaxis Canada
Anaphylaxis
Canada welcomes Parliament's declaration
of May as Food Allergy Awareness Month
"It means so much to me" - Sara Shannon,
whose daughter Sabrina died of an allergic reaction
Toronto, May 4, 2010 -
Anaphylaxis Canada applauds Parliament’s motion recognizing
Food Allergy Awareness Month and will be commemorating the
occasion by promoting a number of initiatives intended to
support the 1.3 million Canadians who live with food allergies.
This is the first year such a month has been designated in
Canada and will now be a permanently recognized occasion.
Several other countries including the US, UK, Italy, New Zealand
and Australia have similar declarations.
"The declaration of Food Allergy Awareness Month is
a significant step in the ongoing effort to educate the public
about food allergies," said Laurie Harada, Executive
Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and herself the mother of a
teenager with multiple food allergies. "We are thrilled
that all political parties united to support this motion and
thank MP Cheryl Gallant for moving the motion."
Food allergy is a growing public health issue in Canada. More
than fifty percent of Canadians know someone with a food allergy.
While allergic individuals must take responsibility for their
condition, awareness and support of the community are key
to keeping people, especially children, safe. Without treatment,
anaphylaxis, the most severe form of an allergic reaction,
can cause death.
In the visitor’s gallery to watch Parliament vote on
the motion was allergy advocate Sara Shannon. Sara’s
daughter, Sabrina, had her own advocacy efforts tragically
cut short by a fatal anaphylactic reaction in 2003 when she
was just 13 years old.
" This means so much to me," said Sara Shannon,
"and it would have meant so much to Sabrina. In her short
life Sabrina experienced many parts of Canada, from the mountains
of British Columbia to the beautiful city of Montreal. She
would want everyone to share in this country’s beauty
and possibility and would therefore be very pleased that the
serious issues around food allergies are getting attention
from our federal lawmakers."
Anaphylaxis Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated
to helping those at risk for anaphylaxis and those who care
for them. We are committed to creating a safer world for people
with food allergies through research, education and advocacy.
More information can be found at www.anaphylaxis.ca.
For more information please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting for Anaphylaxis Canada
416-996-0767 / [email protected]
To access a PDF of this press release please click
here.
Dear friends,
I know that many of you are upset with the article "It’s
just nuts". I am, too. As you know, I lost my only child,
Sabrina, to an allergic reaction when she was 13. My daughter,
an advocate from an early age, would have been extremely disappointed
that adults at Chatelaine made light of a children's health
issue. She would have wanted them to learn more about the
facts and Sabrina's Law.
You can see my letter which I've asked Anaphylaxis Canada
to post on its website. Please feel free to share my letter
with others.
Click here
to view my letter:
I would like you to help me keep my promise to Sabrina to
educate others about food allergies.
Please share your thoughts on the article with the executives
of Rogers Publishing, who publish Chatelaine magazine:
Mr. Brian Segal
President & CEO
Rogers Publishing
[email protected]
Ms. Kerry Mitchell
Vice-President & Publisher
Consumer Publishing Group
[email protected]
Copy to:
Ms. Maryam Sanati
[email protected]
I would appreciate if you could copy me as well.
Thank you -
Sara Shannon
Sabrina’s Mom & Allergy Advocate
[email protected]
Anaphylaxis Canada Press Release
Anaphylaxis Canada hopes article
from medical journal slows advance of "myth” theory
November 16, 2009, Toronto - A
newly published article provides further evidence that the
prevalence of food allergies among children is increasing.
The article, "Food Allergy Among Children in the United
States” appears in the December issue of Pediatrics,
a US medical journal. According to the study, 3.9% of children
under 18 had a food allergy, an 18 percent increase from 1997-2007.
In addition, visits to ambulatory facilities related to food
allergies nearly tripled between 1993-1997 and 2003-2006.
While the evidence is based on American studies, Canadian
trends with respect to the percentage of children affected
by food allergy are thought to mirror those of the US, given
similarities in lifestyle. A food allergy prevalence study
initiated by AllerGen, the Allergy, Genes and Environment
Network and co-sponsored by Health Canada, is expected to
be released next year.
Anaphylaxis Canada, the national non-profit advocacy organization,
hopes the new report will help debunk the growing trend in
some quarters to question the prevalence and severity of food
allergy. The latest example is from an article in the December
issue of Chatelaine magazine entitled "It’s just
nuts” which infuriated many families with children at
risk of anaphylaxis, including Sara Shannon who lost her daughter
Sabrina to an anaphylactic reaction in 2003. An
open letter from Sara to Chatelaine’s publishers
is posted on our website at http://anaphylaxis.ca/content/whatsnew/hot_topics.asp
"Peanut allergy is not a myth”, says Laurie Harada,
Executive Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and the mother of
an allergic teen, "nor is allergy to many other foods
that are a staple of North American diets. Publication of
this study is the latest evidence that food allergy and the
life-threatening reactions it can cause is a growing public
health concern.”
The results of this study do not come as a surprise to Anaphylaxis
Canada. For more than a decade, the organization has been
responding to public concern over allergies with a number
of initiatives including working with provincial ministries
of education to develop anaphylaxis management programs in
schools, advocating for changes to Canada’s food labelling
regulations and launching a special website for youth with
food allergies.
"Anaphylaxis Canada will continue to work with families,
schools and communities to develop reasonable measures to
deal with the reality of increasing food allergy among children,”
said Harada. "The bottom line is about keeping our kids
safe”.
Anaphylaxis Canada is a non-profit organization created by
and for people at-risk of anaphylaxis. We are committed to
creating a safer world for people with food allergies through
research, education and advocacy. Our approach to reducing
the risk of anaphylactic reactions in both children and adults
is based on self-management, community engagement, understanding
and respect. For more information please visit www.anaphylaxis.ca.
To arrange an interview or for more information, please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting, for Anaphylaxis Canada
416-996-0767
[email protected]
Anaphylaxis
Canada is pleased to inform you that we have submitted a formal
letter to the editor of Chatelaine magazine outlining the
issues and concerns we have with the article entitled "It’s
just nuts”, appearing in the December 2009 issue of
the magazine.
A copy of our rebuttal letter can be found here: Chatelaine
Rebuttal
The December issue of the magazine is now available on most
newsstands and we encourage you to read the article and submit
your letters or comments directly to the magazine at http://en.chatelaine.com/english/contact/index.jsp?page=14
We have also begun a thread on the magazine's online discussion
forum under the "health” section. Our comments
and the threads can be found here: http://community.chatelaine.com/advansis/
In commenting on this article we encourage you to be factual,
respectful and provide as much direct, personal perspective
as possible. We hope that our letter will provide the
magazine and its writers with a better perspective on the
seriousness of food allergies and the need for a collaborative
effort within our communities to help provide a safer environment
for all those at risk.
Beatrice Povolo
Director, Programs & Services
Anaphylaxis Canada
416-785-5666
Elections are a valuable opportunity to raise awareness with
political parties about anaphylaxis and the food safety challenges
those at-risk and their families face.
Anaphylaxis Canada is engaging in the election campaign on
behalf of our members by creating a questionnaire on some
key issues (allergy testing, education and daycare policies)
and asking the major political parties (Liberals, NDP, Green
Party) for their responses.
We are pleased to inform you that all three parties answered
our questionnaire. Their responses are posted below for you
to review. We encourage you to consider these responses as
part of your voting decision.
Liberals Response (pdf)
NDP Response (pdf)
Green Party Response (pdf)
To find out who the candidates are in your riding or for more
on the election please visit the Elections BC website at:
www.elections.bc.ca.
Thank you.
Anaphylaxis Canada
"Sting
led to a hornet’s nest of trouble"- Dr.
Hummel
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629539
"Baker’s
flour allergy a recipe for career disaster"-
Scott Dion
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629545
"When
reading the label can save a life"- Lee Parpart
& daughter & 6-year old Bridget Wadden
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629547
"Research
promising, but solution is still years away" -
Shelly Mackie & 8-year old Charlie Mackie.
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629548
"New
website warns teens, young adults" - Kyle Dine
& 18-year old Bridget Yard
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629546
"A
star’s message to allergic teens" - Lauren
Collins
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/629546 (right hand
side)
"Creating
allergy action plan soothes a mother's anxiety" -
Karen Danard & 14-year old Issac Eng
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/article/629544
A motion moved by MP Cheryl Gallant received all party support
in the House of Commons on April 28, 2009. The motion is also
a result of efforts by MP Gerard Kennedy. We thank all parties
for their support of this declaration.
This is the first year that we have had this designation made
in Canada. To commemorate this week we have a number of initiatives
planned to help increase awareness of managing food allergies
and educating the community on the issues faced by those at
risk for anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis Canada launch of new teen website:
http://www.whyriskit.ca/
Check out the first website of its kind in Canada dedicated
to providing resources and tools for pre-teens, teens and
young adults living with severe allergies. Official launch
date: May 6th, 2009
Toronto Star special report on Allergies & Asthma
Special feature to be published on May 7th, 2009
Today's Parent Award
Anaphylaxis Canada is proud to have been selected by Today's
Parent magazine for their "Reader with a Cause"
award for the month of May. Thank you to Laurie Prentice,
an Anaphylaxis Canada member, for nominating us for this award.
Check out this months issue for more details.
Support Group Grants
Anaphylaxis Canada is pleased to offer a grant to all our
subscribing support groups to help fund local initiatives.
For all current group leaders please contact us for more information
on how to apply.
To join a local support group in your area visit http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/content/programs/services_support.asp
Be an Allergy Ambassador in
your community. Here's how:
Log on to the Anaphylaxis Learning Centre at http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/
to view our new educational webcast series. Share the link
with others in your community who may be interested in learning
more about managing severe allergies (i.e. teachers, caregivers,
family & friends).
Be prepared:
• Learn how to use an epinephrine auto-injector properly.
Teach others as well. Go to http://www.epipen.ca/
or http://www.twinject.ca/
for more information.
•Wear MedicAlert identification. For more details visit
http://www.medicalert.ca/
•Nominate your school or daycare facility for their
work on keeping children safe. Tell us how they have made
a difference in your community. Click here to submit your
story: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=p5vTeMh73fFMe48UqfygXw_3d_3d
•Issue a challenge! Ask your family and friends to 'live
in your shoes' for a day. Assign them an 'allergy' to live
with for 24hrs. To download allergy brochures go to http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/fa-aa/index_e.html
•Work with your school or daycare to ensure they have
their anaphylaxis policies in place and are up to date.
•Become a member of Anaphylaxis Canada today! Visit
http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/
to see how and what benefits you can receive through your
membership.
•Spread the word and help educate others on the importance
of managing anaphylaxis in your community. Click here to order
brochures, posters or bookmarks free of charge: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=r3JBRJlih97wT_2fOVdnArMg_3d_3d
However you choose to promote Food Allergy Awareness Week,
get involved and make a difference in your community!
Thank you.
Anaphylaxis Canada
There have been a number of recent media articles written
regarding the management of food allergies within the community.
These articles have raised some serious concerns regarding
the perception of allergic individuals and how they are impacted
by this condition. Anaphylaxis Canada felt it was necessary
to provide feedback on these stories and the impact they have
had on the overall allergic community.
Please see the media articles listed below and the accompanying
responses from Anaphylaxis Canada.
Media Articles:
1) Canadian Free Press- December
9, 2009, "Is
fear of nut and other food allergies creating hysteria?"
Anaphylaxis Canada
Response:
2) Ottawa Citizen- January 30, 2009, "Allergy
scares are making people nuts".
Anaphylaxis
Canada Response:
3) National Post- Saturday, February 7, 2009,
"Food
bans: healthy or hysterical"
Anaphylaxis
Canada Response:
It has recently come to our attention that the Government
of British Columbia is proposing significant amendments to
the "Allergy” Section of the Naturopathic Physicians
Regulation. These changes would permit naturopaths to administer
challenge tests for allergy as well as provide desensitization
treatment to patients, responsibilities that should only be
performed by trained physicians. (The document is available
at http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/leg/pdfs/Naturopathic_Physicians_Regulation_-_proposed_amendments_Dec_12-2008.pdf
- refer to sections 5 (l) k and l.)
Anaphylaxis Canada has written the Minister of Health seeking
an urgent meeting to discuss the proposed amendments in our
own letter as well as in a joint letter with a number of allergy
and medical associations. Both letters can be downloaded:
Anaphylaxis
Canada letter to B.C. Health Minister (pdf)
Letter
to the Honourable George Abbott (pdf)
As individuals with a vested interest in safety for people
at risk of anaphylaxis, we are calling on you for your support.
We must work to ensure all individuals are given the right
scientific evidence for diagnostic testing and treatment for
allergy.
For your convenience, we have provided a template letter below
which you can adapt with your own personal comments. Please
send your comments by email to:
Minister of Health Services, George Abbott:
[email protected]
cc: [email protected]
MS WORD template of Letter
to Minister of Health Services George Abbott (doc)
As this matter is urgent, we would appreciate your voicing
your concern today!
AC
Submission - Food Labelling - Nov. 28/08 (pdf)
Appendix
A - Focus Groups Summary (pdf)
Appendix
B - Webcast Participant Summary (pdf)
We are pleased to inform you of an announcement made this
afternoon by The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health,
related to labelling requirements for specific food allergens,
gluten sources and added sulphites in pre-packaged foods.
As things move forward in the regulatory process we will continue
to work with government and other stakeholders to address
food labelling issues in Canada and will keep you updated
on this important initiative.
Click here to see Health Canada’s press release:
Government
of Canada Announces Proposed New Labelling Requirements to
Protect Health of Canadians
Download our press release:
Grocery Shopping
to be Safer for Millions of Canadians: Clearer food labelling
requirements welcomed by Anaphylaxis Canada
On behalf of the team at Anaphylaxis Canada, thank you all
for making your voices heard. Together, we are making a difference!
Laurie Harada
Executive Director
Anaphylaxis Canada
Anaphylaxis Canada has joined forces with other groups to
urge Prime Minister Harper to pass food labelling legislation.
As you know, this issue has been stalled for years. We have
provided for your reference a letter to the Prime Minster
which was sent by all of the allergy associations in Canada
and the Canadian Celiac Association. You can also see the
PowerPoint presentation we made as a delegation to Health
Minister Tony Clement’s senior staff in April 2007.
With your letters and personal stories, we can make a difference
in keeping this issue "top of mind”. We are also
working with Allergic Living magazine in a letter writing
campaign. Go to their website - www.allergicliving.com
- and click on the box Food Allergen Label Law -
where you can submit a letter to the Prime Minister. Together,
we can make a difference in keeping this food labelling issue
"top of mind”.
Presentation given to Health Canada
Food Labelling Presentation April 11/07
Letter to Prime Minister from Associations
Letter to Prime Minister
June 11/08
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