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Tools to help your institution support students with food allergies.

Managing food allergies and anaphylaxis

As high school students move to university or college with more independent study and living situations, they need to quickly learn how to navigate much larger and more complex systems. Students with serious allergies have the additional responsibility of managing their medical condition in a new setting. Approximately 150,000 students enrolled in more than 225 Canadian universities and colleges that are affected by food allergies.

While students are expected to manage their potentially life-threatening allergies, your institution can assist by fostering a supportive and inclusive campus environment — creating a safe setting for the students to disclose their allergies and providing services and supports for managing risks.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to our funders for their generous support of our post-secondary guide initiative: Sean Delaney Memorial Golf Classic, The Walter & Maria Schroeder Foundation, TD Securities, Scotiabank Group, SATOV, Pfizer Canada, Williams Wilson Sherport Foundation, and Peanut Bureau of Canada.

In this section:

Main campusManaging Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis: A Guide for Post-Secondary Institutions

Download this free guide to learn how to successfully manage food allergy and anaphylaxis across your campus.

Post-secondary professionalThe Food Allergy Management Quiz

How is your campus doing?

Take our short quiz to see how your campus is doing in terms of food allergy management.

Post-secondary students sitting on bench Resources and tools

For post-secondary institutions, students, and families.

Andrea MarianoAndrea Mariano: Inspiring action

Andrea Mariano: Inspiring action – Andrea was a bright and caring Ontario university student who suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction on campus in September 2015, just weeks into her first year.

The numbers: 1 in 13 Canadians affected by food allergy (2.6 million people or 7.5% of the population). Greater than 225 universities and colleges, approximately 2 million full/part-time students, and 150,000 affected by food allergy.
Teens and young adults: 68% believe education of friends would make living with food allergy easier, but only 60% tell their friends about their allergy. 39% always carry their auto-injector. 51% always avoid their allergen.
Transition to post-secondary a risky time for students
Recent studies reinforce the need for greater awareness, communication, policies, training and emergency response procedures.