Allergy awareness at McMaster campus
Starting university can be daunting enough for first year students but worrying about how to manage a severe food allergy can make it even worse.
The McMaster community takes food allergies seriously and has a number of services available to support students and staff living, studying and working here.
EpiPen armed Emergency First Response Team
If you or someone you know are having a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate attention, contact the Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) by dialing ‘88’ from any campus phone, 905-522-4135 on any cellphone or use one of the red emergency phones in various locations across campus.
SMPL – Allergen free food station
SMPL is a food station on campus where all menu items are prepared without many of Canada’s top 10 allergens.
This new station within Centro is accessible to everyone, not just students with allergies.
All staff at this station receive special training to minimize cross contamination of ingredients during preparation and ensure there is always a vegetarian option available.
Hospitality Services Dietician
Liana Bontempo is Hospitality Services Dietician who can help students navigate the transition to eating away from home or provide advice on eating on campus with any special dietary requirements. She can meet with students one on one for any nutrition or dietary concerns or can be reached via email at bontempl@mcmaster.ca.
Food allergies are a growing public health issue and can be a challenge for young adults moving to university and learning to manage allergies on their own. While individuals must manage their allergies and take preventative measures to stay safe, the support of the wider community is needed to help provide reasonable measures to reduce the risk of a serious reaction.
Hospitality Services at McMaster continues to work to ensure staff and students living with serious allergies are well supported.
If you have questions about managing your food allergy on campus, contact Liana Bontempo at bontempl@mcmaster.ca.
