Learn about our latest advocacy efforts, including in foodservice, and access to epinephrine. Participate in research studies, one on treatment options for adults and the other on the challenges youth may face when transitioning to adult allergy care. Read about the VIASKIN® Peanut Patch, which was recently submitted for FDA approval and check out our research reminder on a study that shows a higher risk of peanut and unknown nut-related anaphylaxis during Halloween. Plus, don’t miss our Halloween themed mythbuster!
Advocacy in action: Bringing food allergy awareness to foodservice
Eating out should be an experience everyone can enjoy with confidence. That’s why we’re working to help foodservice professionals better understand food allergy and put effective allergen management practices into action.
In September, our team connected with hundreds of restaurant and foodservice operators across the country through two major industry conferences. We shared insights on the experiences of people living with food allergy and the practical steps foodservice operators can take to better support their customers.
We also shared our Recipe for Success research report, which highlights the experiences and expectations of Canadians with food allergy when eating out, along with our Think Food Allergy resources to help turn awareness into action.
Our advocacy continued through an educational webinar with the Club Management Association of Canada, where we highlighted the importance of strong food safety and allergen management practices in supporting the health and well-being of people living with food allergy.
Every conversation with the foodservice industry is an opportunity to build greater understanding and help create experiences where people with food allergy feel more confident and included when eating out.
Learn more
Advocacy in action: Keeping access to epinephrine on the agenda
We’ve been talking a lot about access to epinephrine — and that conversation is gaining momentum.
Over the past few months, more than 300 news outlets have published our press releases with several media interviews with local and national outlets. Together this is helping bring greater attention to the need for epinephrine to be available where anaphylaxis can happen, including schools and other public settings.
Media coverage is an important part of our advocacy. It helps bring the experiences and needs of the food allergy community into the public conversation, while we are also putting this issue in front of government and industry leaders who can help drive change. One recent example is an interview with our Executive Director, Jennifer Gerdts, on CFRA News Talk Radio, where she discussed the importance of access to epinephrine in schools.
Listen to the interview to hear more about why this remains an important advocacy priority for the food allergy community and read our case for action.
Advocacy in action: A step toward public coverage for neffy®
Canada’s Drug Agency has issued a positive recommendation to reimburse neffy® epinephrine nasal spray, with conditions, for adults and children who weigh 30 kg (66 lb) or more and are at risk of anaphylaxis.
We advocated directly with Canada’s Drug Agency and provided written submissions during their consultations about the importance of access and reimbursement for neffy and what having this option can mean for Canadians with food allergy.
What does this recommendation mean?
The positive reimbursement recommendation is an important step toward public coverage of neffy for eligible Canadians. The next step is for ALK Canada to work with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance and participating public drug plans on reimbursement negotiations.
Expanding access to epinephrine is a longstanding advocacy priority.
Greater choice in epinephrine devices is an important part of improving access to treatment for anaphylaxis in Canada.
This recommendation represents further progress toward ensuring Canadians can access the full range of epinephrine device options available to them. It also builds on our longstanding advocacy to improve access to epinephrine and ensure the needs of people with food allergy are reflected in decisions about access to anaphylaxis treatment.
We will continue advocating strongly and consistently for access to epinephrine and for policies and coverage that support Canadians living with food allergy.
Participate in research for new treatment option: Adults with food allergy
Researchers at Cliantha Research in Mississauga, Ontario are looking for adults with food allergy to participate in Phase 1 of a clinical research study investigating a potential treatment option.
Please note: Phase 1 is the first stage of drug development that primarily evaluates a new treatment’s safety and tolerability. At this stage, the treatment is still being studied and is not an approved treatment.
If you are considering participation, please speak with the research team and your healthcare provider to determine whether a clinical trial is right for you. Learn more about the different phases of clinical trials and what they mean in our past webinar with Dr. Julia Upton. In this session, Dr. Upton also discusses considerations when deciding whether a clinical trial may be right for you.
Please click on the link for more details from the research team. If you are interested or have questions, please contact the study team directly at volunteer@cliantha.com or call 905 282-1808 locally or 1 888 989-1808 toll free.
Participate in research: Take part in an international allergy and asthma survey – Survey closes October 19th
We are proud to be part of a global task force with the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) to better understand the challenges young people face as they transition from paediatric care to adult allergy and asthma care.
Help improve the transition from paediatric to adult allergy care
Are you a young person (aged 16-25) or a parent of a child (aged 11-25) with an allergic condition or asthma? Take part in this 10-to-15-minute online survey to share your experiences and perspectives.
Researchers are aiming to better understand young people’s experiences during the transition from paediatric care to adult allergy and asthma care, from the perspectives of young people and parents. This includes learning about the support available to help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to manage their allergies and asthma independently. Your input can help identify what’s working well, what could be improved, and where additional support may be needed.
The findings may help inform the development of educational and support strategies to address unmet needs.
The deadline to participate in this study has been extended to October 19, 2026. Take the survey now and share your experiences.
Research: VIASKIN® Peanut Patch submitted for FDA review in children
There’s a new development in peanut allergy treatment research. On September 29th, DBV Technologies announced that it has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of the VIASKIN® Peanut Patch for children ages 4 to 7 with peanut allergy.
The peanut patch is designed to deliver small amounts of peanut protein through the skin. The goal is to gradually expose the immune system to peanut protein and increase the amount of peanut a child can tolerate over time.
The application is supported by results from the Phase 3 VITESSE study, a large clinical trial involving young children with peanut allergy.
If approved, the VIASKIN® Peanut Patch would offer a new way to deliver peanut immunotherapy — through the skin rather than by mouth or injection.
The FDA will review the application before making a decision. For families living with peanut allergy, this is a development worth watching as research continues to explore new treatment options for children.
New treatment options can bring new possibilities for people with food allergy. We’ll continue advocating for access to these treatments in Canada and making sure the needs and voices of our community are part of the conversation. We’ll also keep you informed as research and regulatory developments unfold.
Research reminder: Higher risk of peanut- and unknown nut-related anaphylaxis during Halloween and Easter
Halloween is a fun and exciting time for kids, but for families living with food allergy, the treats that come with it can bring added challenges.
Research from Canada has found that children experienced more peanut- and unknown nut-related anaphylaxis around Halloween and Easter compared with other days of the year. Researchers looked at anaphylaxis cases around six holidays — Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Eid al-Adha — and compared them with cases on other days.
The difference was particularly noticeable around Halloween and Easter. At Halloween, there was an 85% increase in average daily cases of peanut-related anaphylaxis, while at Easter there was a 60% increase. Across Halloween and Easter, there was a 70% increase in average daily cases of anaphylaxis caused by unknown nuts — when it wasn’t clear whether the trigger was peanut or a tree nut.
Why might Halloween and Easter be different? The researchers suggest that the social setting of these holidays may play a role. Children often receive candies and treats from a wider range of people who may not know about their food allergies. This can make it harder to know what ingredients a treat contains or whether it may have been exposed to an allergen. This is in contrast to Christmas celebrations among family and friends who are more vigilant about allergen exposure.
Another factor may be product labelling, some Halloween candies do not require a full ingredient label, including allergen information, making it more difficult to identify potential allergens.
This research is a reminder of the importance of being prepared and knowing what to do if a reaction occurs. For families managing food allergy, that can include checking labels carefully, knowing which treats are appropriate, having epinephrine available, and making sure children and the people around them know what to do in an emergency.
And for everyone celebrating Halloween, a little food allergy awareness can go a long way toward making the celebration more inclusive for everyone.
To help you and your family have a great Halloween, check out our tips below.
Mythbuster: Do trick-or-treat sized candies/chocolates always have the same ingredient list as the full-sized versions?
FACT: Trick-or-treat sized candies and chocolates may not always have the same ingredient list as the full-sized product.
Many companies create a Halloween edition of their products, usually a smaller sized version of the product, which can sometimes be distinguished by different packaging with fun Halloween colours and/or designs.
Although the product itself may look the same, the ingredients may differ from the full-sized version, as the Halloween version may be manufactured in a different facility. It is important to read the ingredient label carefully from start to finish, including any “may contain” statements, on all product sizes and versions, even if it has been “safe” in the past. Learn how to do the “triple check” and call manufacturers directly if you have any questions on the product ingredients.
Help us educate your communities and share this mythbuster with them! Find more mythbusters at foodallergycanada.ca/mythbusters.
Tags: advocacy, foodservice, Halloween, mythbuster, neffy, peanut allergy, Research, stock epi, tree nut allergy, Viaskin Peanut patch