Nutrition FAQ

Food Allergies and Intolerances

Expand all Collapse all

• 1. What is a food allergy?

  A food allergy is an adverse reaction that occurs when the body's immune system attacks a food protein that it has misidentified as harmful. The symptoms can vary from mild to quite severe.

  For more information on allergies visit allergysafecommunities.ca

• 2. What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

  Many people think food allergies and food intolerances are the same thing, but they are not.

  A food allergy is an abnormal response by the immune system to a food perceived as harmful to the body. Symptoms can affect many parts of the body and can sometimes be life-threatening.

  A food intolerance does not involve the immune system and is not life-threatening. Symptoms usually affect the digestive system and may include gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain or diarrhea.

  Visit Eat Right Ontario for more information on allergies and intolerances.

• 3. What are common symptoms of an allergic reaction?

  Symptoms of an allergic reaction vary from one individual to another.  Symptoms may include one or more of the following;

  • Tingling sensation in the mouth
  • Swelling of the tongue, throat, eyes, face and lips
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Hives or a rash
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Drop in blood pressure
  • Loss of consciousness

  In severe cases, an allergic reaction can cause death.

  Allergy symptoms typically appear within minutes or up to two hours after the allergy-causing food has been consumed.

• 4. Is lactose intolerance the same thing as a milk allergy?

  No. When someone has a milk allergy, their body's immune system has an abnormal reaction to milk proteins. The reaction can be life-threatening. Lactose intolerance means the body does not make enough lactase, an enzyme needed to digest lactose, the naturally occurring sugar in milk.

  Lactose intolerance causes mainly gastrointestinal symptoms. Their severity is usually related to the amount of lactose ingested and to an individual's level of tolerance.  With a milk allergy, even the smallest amount of milk or milk products can trigger a serious reaction.

• 5. Is there a cure for food allergies?

  No. Currently, there are no treatments or medications that can cure food allergies.

• 6. How can we prevent or avoid allergic reactions in our daycare or after-school-care setting?

  Avoiding the allergen is the only way to prevent a reaction. Learn to read labels and ingredient lists to identify the allergy-causing food or its components. Do not serve prepared foods without ingredient lists.

  Children with allergies should learn not to share food with classmates or friends, and parents should inform school or daycare staff of the allergy. It is also important that all children wash their hands after snacks and meals to prevent cross-contamination.

• 7. Which foods cause food allergies?

  Although any food can cause a reaction, in Canada, 90% of allergies are caused by

  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts
  • Sesame seeds
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Seafood (fish, crustaceans and shellfish)
  • Soy
  • Wheat

• 8. Can people outgrow allergies?

  About 75% to 80% of children lose their sensitivity to allergenic foods such as milk, eggs, wheat and soy before age three.  That number increases to 95% by age five.

• 9. How can people with lactose intolerance enjoy milk products?

  Many people with lactose intolerance can train their digestive systems to tolerate usual amounts of milk products.
  To increase tolerance:

  • Drink milk with meals instead of on its own.
  • Use milk products in recipes.
  • Try yogurt, which contains live bacteria that help break down lactose.
  • Choose Mozzarella and aged cheeses like Cheddar, Swiss and Blue, as these contain very little lactose and are usually well tolerated.
  • Consume small servings of milk several times throughout the day, depending on your level of tolerance, and then gradually increase the number of servings.

• 10. Who is at greatest risk for a food allergy?

  A family history is a strong predictor of allergy development. Children have a 20% to 40% chance of developing allergies if one parent is affected; this proportion increases dramatically to 80% if both parents have allergies. Approximately 6% of children are affected by food allergies.

• 11. I have a child in my class who is allergic to peanuts. What should I do?

  In Ontario, children with allergies are guaranteed a safe environment by law. This law, named Sabrina's Law, came into effect January 1, 2006. It requires that every school board establish and maintain an anaphylaxis policy. It also requires that principals develop individual plans for pupils with life-threatening allergies. Become familiar with your school board's anaphylaxis policy.

  You can participate in a 30-minute online workshop on the law for Ontario educators and administrators.

  View the Ontario legislation.

• 12. Because of peanut allergies, my school is a peanut-free zone. What foods can I suggest that kids bring instead of peanut butter to include protein in their lunches and snacks?

  Most children can easily meet their daily protein needs if they have foods from all four Canada's Food Guide food groups. Meats, milk and their alternatives offer the highest amounts of protein, but smaller amounts are also found in grains, vegetables and fruit.

  The following foods have about the same amount of protein as 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (one Meat and Alternatives serving):

  • 30g (1 oz.) of meat
  • 250 mL (1 cup) of yogurt
  • 250 mL (1 cup) of milk
  • 1 bagel
  • 60 mL (¼ cup) hummus with 250 mL (1 cup) raw vegetables
  • 30g (1 oz.) of Cheddar cheese

• 13. I have a child with a milk allergy in my classroom. How should I advise children and parents?

  For the non-allergic children: If milk is an integral part of a child's diet, suggest they visit another classroom to enjoy their lunch or even go home or to a friend's house for lunch on occasion to enjoy these products.  As the teacher, you could provide parents with a list of foods that are okay rather than those that are banned - being positive is more effective.  

  Invite the parent of the child with the allergy to come in and talk to the class about foods that make their child unwell. 

  Health Canada recommends that all children have two glasses of milk daily, so families can serve it during the morning and evening meals provided at home to meet this requirement.

  For the milk-allergic child: Once a doctor has confirmed the allergy, it is important to avoid all foods or products containing milk and milk derivatives (e.g.,casein, whey, lactoferrin, modified milk ingredients, etc.). A child with a milk allergy should avoid any product whose ingredient list warns that it may contain milk.

  Reading labels carefully and avoiding any food or product that does not have an ingredient list is essential. Watch for new legislation coming soon that will identify common food allergens on product labels.

  See Health Canada for regular updates on this legislation.