My child has a peanut allergy. Can you give me some information on reducing risks of contamination with peanuts?

Printer-friendly version

February 28, 2008

Peanut allergy is a common food allergy and can cause life-threatening reactions, also called anaphylaxis. The only way to prevent a reaction to peanuts is to avoid all sources, even very small amounts. Knowing how to avoid all sources of peanut will help reduce the risk for an allergic reaction.

It's also very important to be prepared in case peanut is eaten by accident. People with a peanut allergy should talk to their doctor about carrying and learning how to use an epinephrine auto-injector. Epinephrine must be injected as soon as symptoms of a severe reaction happen. Right after the injection, the allergic person must be taken to a hospital emergency room. A MedicAlert^® bracelet should also be worn.

Fact sheets are available to help you keep your child's diet peanut-free. Staying away from peanut-contaminated foods is an important part of preventing an allergic reaction. Contamination happens when a peanut-free food comes into contact with peanut. This can happen during food manufacturing. For example, vanilla ice cream could be contaminated if it's made using the same equipment that's used for making peanut butter ice cream.

Contamination can also happen at home. If you use the same knife to spread peanut butter that you use to get jam from a jar, the jam in the jar will be contaminated.

Contamination of peanut-free foods can also happen in a grocery store or restaurant. Toys can get contaminated, too.

How can my child avoid peanut contamination?

• Prepare and store peanut-free foods using clean kitchen equipment and counters.
• Avoid bringing foods that contain peanut into the home of a peanut-allergic child.
• Know exactly what is in a food. If you aren't sure, don't give the food to your child.
• Read food labels carefully. Avoid foods that include the warning: "May contain peanuts". Food labels don't always give you all the information you need. Contact food companies for more information if you have questions about their products.
• Avoid bulk foods. The scoops can get mixed up, causing peanut to get into the other bulk foods.
• Avoid all peanut oil. Some peanut oils are "cold pressed" and can still contain some peanut allergen.
• At school, children should always bring their own food and learn not to share their food, cups or straws.
• Tell your child's teacher about his or her allergy and spend time with the teacher to develop an emergency treatment plan.
• If you're eating out, talk to the chef about your child's peanut allergy ahead of time.
• Make sure other adults who look after your child know about your child's allergy and how to prevent and treat a reaction.
• Always have children wash their hands after eating and make sure that tables and counters are cleaned after meals.

Resources for consumers

Allergens FAQs - Anaphylaxis Canada

Anaphylaxis In Schools and Other Child Care Settings - Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation

Food Allergens - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Life-Threatening Food Allergies in School and Child Care Settings - British Columbia Ministry of Health

Peanuts - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Allergy/Asthma Information Association (AAIA)

Resources for health professionals

Anaphylaxis: A Handbook for School Boards - Canadian School Boards Association

Labelling of Foods Causing Allergies and Sensitivities - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)