In Quebec, Megann's Law Would Create Uniform Food Allergy Policy For Schools

In Montreal, the mother of a 6-year-old girl who died in 2012 following a severe reaction to dairy has led the call for 'Megann's Law. If passed, it would create a uniform food allergy and asthma policy for all schools in Quebec. A coalition led by Megann's mother is currently campaigning for Quebec to adopt the law.

According to the Montreal Gazette, Megann Ayotte-Lefort had severe asthma and an allergy to dairy products. On September 16, 2010, she died after suffering an allergic reaction and asthma attack at her school. Though her daughter carried an EpiPen in her backpack, and there was another one in the school nurse's office, the teacher gave her asthma medication and called her mother. Megann died later that night. Her mother believes that had the school staff had the right training, they could have administered an epinephrine shot, which could have saved Megann's life.

The Coalition for Megann's Law said that the legislation would require school staff members to undergo emergency allergy and asthma training, where they would learn how to detect signs of a reaction, and how to use an EpiPen or epinephrine auto-injector, which would stop the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Currently, allergy policies are developed by individual schools, with considerably variation between schools.