May Is Allergy Awareness Month Worldwide

Anaphylaxis is difficult, dangerous, and even life-threatening, both to children and to adults.

This picture does say 1000 words.

Example of an Anaphylaxis allergic reaction

There's been no formal proclamation by the U.N., but countries all over the world are noting some form of Allergy Awareness weeks in May.

This week already is Allergy Awareness Week in Australia and will be next week in New Zealand. To raise awareness, the not-for-profit group Anaphylaxis Australia along with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is distributing allergen information cards that, according to the official press release:

list common ingredients derived from each of the major allergens and also have essential advice for people who are food allergic about eating out, including a reminder to always carry an Epipen. The cards are small enough to fold into a wallet and take shopping.

They are also working with their governments to require standards similar to those already in place in the U.S.

"Anaphylaxis Australia is also doing some excellent work with the food industry to make allergen labelling clearer; for example, by highlighting allergens in the ingredient list and making 'may contain' labelling more useful by more accurate descriptions such as 'made on the same production line as products with nuts'".

What about the rest of the world?

National Allergy Week takes place 21st - 25th May in the UK, put on by Allergy UK.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has declared May to be Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.

Contact info:
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1233 20th Street NW, Suite 402
Washington, DC 20036
(800) 7-ASTHMA (727-8462)
(202) 466-7643
(202) 466-8940 Fax
info@aafa.org
www.aafa.org
Materials available
Contact: Angel Waldron

And the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network is making May 13-19 Food Allergy Awareness Week

Contact info:
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
11781 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 160
Fairfax, VA 22033
(800) 929-4040
(703) 691-2713 Fax
jlove@foodallergy.org
www.foodallergy.org
Materials available
Contact: Jennifer Love

Go to the sites, look at the information there, and spread the word to parents, schools, day care centers, workplaces, and any other sites where people may need to know more about dairy allergies and all other types of food allergies.