City of Hamilton looking for local restaurants to participate in epinephrine auto-injector project

Hamilton, ON - The City of Hamilton is looking to recruit local restaurants interested in participating in an expanded voluntary Stock Epinephrine Auto-injector Pilot Project (SEAPP). “Stock” or undesignated epinephrine auto-injectors are devices that are not prescribed for a specific person that can be used to treat anaphylaxis in an emergency.

Food is one of the most common causes of anaphylactic reactions in the community, and food-allergic relations often occur while away from home such as in restaurants. While people at risk of anaphylaxis take steps to self-protect, they may require assistance from those around them during an emergency. Foodservice operators can play a role in helping guests with food allergies in an emergency.

The City of Hamilton is collaborating with McMaster University, Food Allergy Canada and community partners to expand a pilot project that involved training and research to support the restaurants in of stocking epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs).

This new project seeks to build on the success of the pilot and encourages restaurants to make stock epinephrine available in restaurants. With a few steps, participating Hamilton restaurants can be trained to identify the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, and help respond with epinephrine in the event of an emergency. Interested restaurant operators can visit www.hamilton.ca/SEAPP for registration and project details. The deadline to register is March 31, 2019.

The City of Hamilton supported the Stock Epinephrine Auto-injector Pilot Project (SEAPP), which ran from September 2014 until March 2016, in collaboration with several partner organizations including McMaster University, Food Allergy Canada, First Real Properties and Rotary Club of Ancaster A.M.

This project was initiated by Councillor Lloyd Ferguson, after being approached by Rotarians, Marty Schure and Dr. Frank Stechey. They inspired him to encourage restaurants to carry stock epinephrine following the tragic death of 12-year-old Maia Santarelli-Gallo, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction while dining at a local food court in 2013. Based on the success of SEAPP, a decision was made to expand this program to include more restaurant locations, and also have EAI’s stocked in City-owned facilities.

In November 2016 the City of Hamilton placed EAIs at 81 City locations including all City-owned rec centres, arenas and Tim Horton’s stadium, and trained over 700 staff to respond to an anaphylactic reaction.

Quick Facts

• Epinephrine is a medication used for the treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis.
• Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to, such as a peanut or the venom from a bee sting.
• Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. More than 600,000 or 1% to 2% of Canadians are estimated to be at risk of anaphylaxis from food and stinging insects.

Additional Resources

Learn about the Stock Epinephrine Auto-injector Pilot Project by visiting www.hamilton.ca/SEAPP

In partnership with:

McMaster University and Food Allergy Canada