We estimate that 3.1 million Canadians suffer from food allergies and over 7 million suffer from food intolerance. That’s a lot of people, and everything suggests that this number will increase over the next few years.
Due to the attention paid to the pandemic, we hardly discuss cases of food allergies, a topic that seems to be forgotten these days. With a school year already well underway and Halloween just around the corner, parents of children with allergies are on their toes. This affection changes lives, lives. Food intolerances can be difficult to manage, and with a food allergy, the lives of many Canadians can be threatened in no time. A new report released by Dalhousie University, with support from Food Allergies Canada, reveals that 3.1 million Canadians suffer from food allergies and more than 7 million suffer from food intolerance.
With the pandemic, food can be purchased in a number of ways – in stores, online with store pickup or delivery – but for consumers who need to protect themselves from allergens or certain ingredients that cause intolerance, is that what? are we providing them with the necessary information? In the past 20 months, food distribution has literally exploded. We estimate that more than 3,500 Canadians experience anaphylactic shock each year from eating foods that are unsuitable for them, and many die from it. Given the changes in food distribution, some specialists claim that this number could increase over the next few years.
In addition, food packaging poses challenges for the industry to correctly label allergens. In fact, in 2020, approximately 35% of food recalls in Canada were due to the suspected presence of undeclared allergens in food. The goal of Dalhousie’s recent report is to better understand the prevalence of food allergies and intolerances in the Canadian population and to see how Canadians manage their condition.
When asked how their condition was diagnosed, 41.3% of those surveyed said that an allergy expert had diagnosed their condition. A total of 22.4% said their condition was diagnosed by a non-allergist or doctor. A total of 36.2% of Canadians reported having self-diagnosed their condition. In other words, many people have consulted a professional, a larger number than initially believed.
As for food intolerance, 48.1% of people surveyed indicated that their food intolerance had been self-diagnosed. All other participants said their problem was diagnosed by an allergist (25.5%) or a doctor (26.4%).
In total, 45.2% of those questioned noticed their allergy or intolerance in adulthood. In addition, 19.6% were diagnosed before the age of 6, 11.6% between 6 and 10 years and 10.1% between 11 and 15 years. A total of 13.7% were diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 19.
Interestingly, 53.9% of people reported being aware of their allergy or intolerance in the past five years. This corresponds to more than half of the participants.
Many Canadians have reacted to certain foods over the years. While 33.7% of them had a reaction more than once, 13.8% had a reaction only once. A total of 23.4% of the participants had not yet had any reactions. Of Canadians with a condition, 46.3% believe food products are correctly labeled, 27.8% believe food products are not properly labeled, and 25.9% are unsure. A total of 57.8% of participants with a condition believe that grocers provide enough choice for people with allergies or intolerances, while this offer is considered insufficient by many other Canadians.
For the food service sector (restaurants), the results differ. Only 27.7% of people surveyed with a condition believe menus correctly indicate allergens. As a result, 67.5% of people with a health problem will ask a waiter, cook or chef for more information about ingredients every now and then, or all the time. Nonetheless, 46.0% of Canadians reacted at a restaurant at least once, and 25.5% more than once. Symptoms vary from case to case.
Essentially, to make a safe and informed choice, in order to stay safe and avoid serious allergic reactions, consumers must have access to clear information before consuming food, regardless of whether it is delivered or purchased. at the store. Knowing what food contains is important for all Canadians, but for those with a food allergy, it is essential.
Data shows that many Canadians suffer from food allergies and intolerances, and that some adjustments are needed. While grocers will have to think about offering more choices to consumers suffering from allergies and intolerances, the restaurant industry, already severely affected by the pandemic, will have to be more transparent about the ingredients used for customers. anxious to obtain information on the dishes served in the dining room or delivered to the home. According to a recent poll by Angus Reid, 29% of Canadians order food to be delivered to their homes at least once every two weeks. It therefore becomes crucial that consumers have access to accurate and complete information on ingredients when ordering online or through a third-party delivery service.
What do you think? Express your opinion