Item - 2017.LS18.5

The Licensing and Standards Committee deferred consideration of the item indefinitely.

City Council on March 28 and 29, 2017 referred Motion MM27.29 to the Licensing and Standards Committee.

Food allergies are a growing public health issue in Toronto and Canada with 2.5 million Canadians self-reporting at least one food allergy. The rate is highest among children under three years old with an estimated 6-8 percent affected by a food allergy. The Government of Canada identifies peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, egg, milk, sesame, soy, mustard, and wheat as the most common food allergens affecting Canadians.

One serious allergic reaction is Anaphylaxis that can rapidly onset and may cause death. An estimated 3,500 Canadians experience anaphylactic shock each year, of which 10-15 will tragically die from the allergic reaction. In Ontario, while food allergy deaths have been decreasing it is vital that the City do what it can to preserve this trend.   Those with allergies that put them at risk of an anaphylactic reaction carry an epinephrine auto-injector (such as EpiPen or Allerject) that contains life-saving medication in case of an allergic reaction.

In May 2013, the House of Commons unanimously passed Motion 230 to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and direct the Government to take action.

Given that the City of Toronto is home to over 8,000 restaurants and hundreds other public facilities, it is worthwhile to investigate if the mandatory provision for Epinephrine Auto-Injectors in restaurants and public facilities would enhance the safety of residents and visitors to our City.