Food Allergies
1. How many young children (under the age of three) are affected by food allergies?
a. up to two per cent
b. up to six per cent
c. up to ten per cent
2. Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially life-threatening, allergic reaction to a specific trigger in a person who has become sensitized.
True or False
3. Anaphylaxis is an overreaction of the body’s immune system, with symptoms that can include:
a. swelling, difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps,
vomiting and diarrhea.
b. a rapid heartbeat and itchiness in the skin.
c. drop in blood pressure and potentially death.
d. all of the above.
4. Approximately how many Canadians currently live with food allergies?
a. 83,000
b. 130,000
c. 900,000
d. 1.3 million
5. How many provinces in Canada have legislation in place to protect children at risk of anaphylaxis in schools?
a. one
b. three
c. five
6. Three of the nine priority food allergens are:
a. peanuts, milk, seafood
b. fruit, seafood, peanuts,
c. peanuts, goldenrod, eggs
d. eggs, wheat, reality TV
7. What percentage of serious allergic reactions to food have been shown to be caused by the nine common allergens?
a. 30 per cent
b. 60 per cent
c. 90 per cent
Answers View Answers Hide Answers
1. B. Food allergies are sensitivities caused by a reaction of the body’s immune system to specific proteins in a food. Current estimates are that food allergies affect as many as six per cent of young children and up to four per cent of adults.
2. True. Food is the most common cause of anaphylaxis, but insect stings, medicine, latex, or exercise can also cause a reaction. Anaphylaxis can affect multiple body systems: skin, upper and lower respiratory, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular.
3. D. Anaphylaxis can be characterized by all of the above, as well as the individual possibly becoming uneasy or anxious. They may also experience sneezing, coughing and a feeling of being lightheaded.
4. D. About 1.3 million Canadians, or approximately four per cent of the population, currently live with food allergies.
5. B. Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba. Other provinces and territories have voluntary guidelines or policies in place. Each province and territory in Canada has its own Ministry of Education or Department of Education that governs schools within its region. Every school board should have a written anaphylaxis policy and written procedures that provide minimum standards for schools within its region. (Since January 2006 all school boards in Ontario were required to have an anaphylaxis policy in accordance with Sabrina’s Law.)
6. A. The nine priority allergens include peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts), sesame seeds, milk, eggs, seafood, (fish, crustaceans and shellfish), soy, wheat and sulfites.
7. C. Although these are the most common allergens and cause the majority of allergic reactions, upwards of 170 foods have been documented to induce an allergic response.
Source: Anaphylaxis Canada