Survey: Canadians Want Better Access to Life-Saving Anaphylaxis Treatment

For people living with food allergy, being prepared for an emergency is part of everyday life. It means carrying multiple epinephrine devices and making sure friends, family, schools, and workplaces understand what to do if a severe allergic reaction happens.

But what happens when a severe reaction occurs in a public place and epinephrine is not immediately available?

New research from Food Allergy Canada shows that Canadians believe communities should be better prepared. A national survey of more than 1,500 Canadians found that 83% support making epinephrine devices available in public spaces, similar to the way automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available for cardiac emergencies.

Support for public access to epinephrine devices was especially strong in places where children and families spend their time.

Nine out of 10 Canadians believe schools should have epinephrine devices available to respond to an emergency. Support was also high for other community spaces, such as:

• Community centres (79%)
• Sports venues (76%)
• Restaurants (75%)
• Malls (69%)

For families managing food allergy, these results show an encouraging sign: Canadians recognize that anaphylaxis can happen outside the home and that epinephrine needs to be accessible in the places where people gather. The support for public access to epinephrine is also an important acknowledgment that food allergies need to be taken seriously, particularly in settings like schools where children spend much of their day.

Most Canadians now understand that food allergy is serious, but there is still more work to be done

The survey found that nearly four in five Canadians (79%) recognize food allergy as a serious medical condition.

At the same time, nearly one in five Canadians (17%) do not believe food allergy is a serious medical condition.

The data gathered shows a clear connection between understanding the seriousness of food allergy and support for public access to epinephrine. Among those who believe food allergy is serious, 88% supported making epinephrine devices available in public spaces. That number dropped to 67% among those who did not share that belief.

Recognizing anaphylaxis is the first step

While many Canadians acknowledge that food allergy can be serious, far fewer feel confident recognizing the early signs of anaphylaxis and knowing when a reaction may require immediate action. Sixty-three percent of respondents said they believe they could recognize the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. However, only 21% strongly agreed they would know how to recognize anaphylaxis.

This matters because recognizing the early signs of anaphylaxis can ensure that epinephrine is administered quickly, before symptoms progress.

“Anaphylaxis can become life-threatening within minutes, [1]” said Dr. Harold Kim, allergist and clinical immunologist.

Dr. Kim also makes an important point: “Not everyone who has a severe reaction has a prior diagnosis or carries an epinephrine device. For some, a severe first-time reaction is how they discover they have an allergy. [1]”

Who do Canadians expect to help during an emergency?

The survey also looked at Canadians’ understanding of emergency response.

Most respondents (91%) believe paramedics carry epinephrine devices and fewer believe other first responders do. Sixty-four percent believe firefighters carry epinephrine, while only 40% believe police officers do.

This raises an important question about the gap between what people expect to be available in an emergency and what resources may actually be on hand.

The medical equipment required for paramedics in Quebec includes both adult and pediatric epinephrine auto-injectors.

However, access to epinephrine among other emergency responders varies according to local service agreements and levels of training. In Montréal, for example, firefighters and police officers who act as first responders carry epinephrine as part of their emergency equipment. [2]. Yet the majority of municipalities in Quebec must rely on paramedics or other members of the community for emergency treatment, as first responder services are nonexistent [3].

More broadly, the survey indicates Canadians recognize that, in many situations, the first person to help may not be a healthcare professional. If someone could not administer epinephrine themselves, respondents said they would expect support from:

• Paramedics (70%)
• Venue staff (59%)
• Family or friends (57%)
• Bystanders (36%)

This expectation from the public highlights the need for more people to be prepared to recognize and treat anaphylaxis.

 A parent’s perspective: why access matters

As a parent of a child with multiple food allergies, I know that being prepared is part of our everyday routine. We never leave home without two epinephrine auto-injectors. We read labels carefully, ask questions when we eat out, and make sure the people caring for our child understand what to do in an emergency. This is something we manage every day, not because we want fear to guide our decisions, but because being prepared helps our child participate fully in the world around them.

Access to epinephrine in public spaces is not a replacement for personal preparedness for those living with food allergy, but rather an additional safety net for unexpected situations.

A severe allergic reaction can be someone’s first sign that they have a food allergy.

Despite all I do as a parent to ensure my child’s safety, as they get older and become more independent, I know there will be times when I’m not with them. I won’t always be certain their epinephrine is within reach if a reaction happens. That’s why the idea of having epinephrine available in more public places resonates with me. It would provide reassurance that, if my child (as well as anyone experiencing a severe allergic reaction for the first time), needs help, there may be another option available in those critical first minutes.

About the survey

The survey was conducted by Leger on behalf of Food Allergy Canada. An online survey of 1,521 Canadians aged 18 and older was completed between April 24 and April 26, 2026. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

The content of this article is based on the following press release issued by our friends at Food Allergy Canada:  Canadians back wider access to epinephrine in public spaces, survey suggests

A heartfelt thank you to our volunteer, Jeannine Cafaro, for writing this article for Allergy Quebec.